Jay Spearing: I "deserve" Liverpool place

Jay Spearing believes that he fully deserves his place in the Liverpool starting lineup.

Despite the summer additions of fellow midfielders Jordan Henderson and Charlie Adam, 23-year-old Spearing has been able to force his way into Kenny Dalglish's plans this season on numerous occasions.

"I thought to myself I would get myself ready and fight and earn the place I personally think I deserve," Spearing told The Independent on Sunday

"I had that confidence to prove to the boss exactly what I could do. There was never any inkling to move on. Liverpool is where I have always wanted to be a part of.

"I want to get better and follow in the footsteps of players like Steven Gerrard, who also came through the academy like me, and if I can do that I will be very happy."

Spearing has spent his entire career at Anfield.