Source: Liverpool_Echo
Liverpool FCs Jay Spearing aiming to show he can be a big noise
Jay Spearing had fallen into a stupor, the atmosphere reflecting Liverpool's laboured passing, when Jay Spearing decided enough was enough.
With Steaua Bucharest threatening to wrestle the impetus away from the Reds in their opening Europa League fixture, Spearing was anxious to rally his team-mates so he exhorted a few words that were straight to the point.
'Come on boys, eh!' the young midfielder bellowed, looking around at his colleagues and clapping his hands together, trying to gee those in Red out of their malaise. 'We've got to ******* pick this up! Come on!'
Instantly he got a response. The section of The Paddock and Main Stand that was within ear shot cheered and applauded, while Liverpool's play upped a notch before the interval, giving them a platform to attack in the second period.
It was encouraging to see. Desperate to make his first start at Anfield a memorable one, Spearing succeeded in achieving his aim and, for good measure, capped an encouraging display by providing the pass for David Ngog to wrap up the 4-1 win.
He smiles now when reminded of his outburst but, as he prepares for tonight's Carling Cup third round tie with League Two minnows Northampton, it is clear Spearing feels much more confident about his role in the squad.
'I just wanted to get a couple of touches early on,' said Spearing. 'The more the game went on, the more involved I became. The cheer? I didn't actually get on to it when it happened. Now I think back, though, I remember there being some applause.
'All I wanted to do was make sure we asserted ourselves. We had started off well but let them get back in and I thought that we needed to sharpen up a bit more and show our quality. We did that towards the end of the first half.
'I know there were more experienced players around me, players who have been around for a long time, but I just had to be myself. What's important now is that I forget about that game and look forward to the future.'
While the Carling Cup might have its detractors, Spearing will not say anything bad about it as it was 12 months ago tonight that he made his first start for Liverpool in this tournament, helping Rafa Benitez's side to a 1-0 win over Leeds United.
His situation has changed considerably since then and, if he maintains his progress, there is every chance that there will be more outings like last Thursday; significantly, Roy Hodgson has been thrilled with his progress and said he did 'exceptionally well' against Steaua.
True, the biggest hurdle has yet to be cleared - being a squad regular is completely different to being a first team regular - but his spirits and confidence are soaring and the 21-year-old from the Wirral is ready to meet the challenge head on.
'Last week was a massive experience for me,' said Spearing. 'I've had 20 minutes here and there but I'd never been able to walk out when 'You'll Never Walk Alone' has been playing. As a local lad, that's what I have been working hard for and thankfully it has come off.
'Obviously I have got to say 'thanks' to the boss for picking me and it was great that we got the result and performance to match. It's been a big year. The (two-month) loan spell (with Leicester City) really helped me, it gave me a lot of confidence and I was able to believe in myself.
