Jonjo Shelvey: 'I was made a scapegoat for Stoke defeat'

Liverpool midfielder Jonjo Shelvey believes that he was made a scapegoat for the Reds' defeat to Stoke City on Boxing Day.

The 20-year-old has fallen out of favour since the Merseyside outfit suffered a 3-1 loss at the hands of the Potters.

"I played against Stoke and obviously I didn't have too great a game," said Shelvey. "I had a few personal issues that were going on in my life.

"I didn't think I was the only one that had a bad game that day but I was the one that suffered, if you know what I mean.

"You just have to take it on the chin and work hard in training and try to get myself back in the team, which I'm trying to do."

The England international has made just two appearances in the FA Cup following the Boxing Day loss.