Source: Liverpool_Echo
Liverpool FC’s Jonjo Shelvey is learning fast to make the grade at Anfield
Jonjo Shelvey 300[LNB]JONJO SHELVEY has done a lot of growing up over the past six months.[LNB]Having made the giant leap from life in League One with Charlton Athletic to Liverpool last summer, it's been a steep learning curve for the England Under-19 international.[LNB]But it's one the talented midfielder has fully embraced. His application has impressed manager Roy Hodgson and has already earned him eight first team appearances.[LNB]From relative obscurity the 18-year-old from Romford now finds himself firmly in the spotlight and he's loving every minute of it.[LNB] 'My mates always say to me 'what's it like to play for Liverpool?',' he said.[LNB]'It's something that words just can't describe. It's just such an honour to play for a club like this with so much history and such passionate fans.[LNB]'You pretend to be people like Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Jamie Carragher when you are in the school playground as a kid. To actually be playing alongside them really is a dream come true.[LNB]'I feel like I've become a better person both on and off the pitch since I've been here. I've had to mature quickly.[LNB]'You can't be a typical 18-year-old boy going out getting drunk with your mates. You have to be disciplined and while I've been at the club I've certainly matured.[LNB]'You have got to be responsible on and off the pitch because no matter what someone is always looking at you. You can't afford to switch off from that.'[LNB]The transfer fee of £1.7million, rising to £3million depending on appearances, was a hefty outlay for a teenager unproven at the highest level.
