Liverpool mixed youth with experience for their EFL Trophy clash – as 34-year-old Jay Spearing started alongside players half his age.
Spearing is best known on Merseyside for breaking into the Reds' first team set-up under Rafa Benitez in the 2008/09 season and going on to make over 50 appearances for his boyhood club.
He left to join Bolton in 2013, spending four years there, three years with Blackpool and two years with Tranmere. The veteran midfielder made a return to the academy he graduated from last summer to take up a coaching role.
READ MORE: Spurs star told he has 'no class' as fans spot handshake snub with furious Chelsea ace
READ MORE: Jamie Carragher shows 'cold' Champions League knowledge – but Portsmouth fans unimpressed
TNT is the only place you can watch all the action from the Champions League this year. You can see every game from the group stage right through to the final as Manchester City look to defend their crown as the newest kings of the World's biggest and best football tournament.
£29.99 a month
But his name appearing in the starting XI as Liverpool's Under-21s faced Barrow on Tuesday (November 7) still came as a shock to some fans. Especially given he was partnered in midfield by Trey Nyoni, 16, who scored and assisted on his England U16 debut.
One questioned: "Jay Spearing? Am I seeing this right?" And another asked: "Is that the same Jay Spearing we know?"
"How does Jay Spearing actually play with the under 21s it doesn't make sense," commented a third, while a fourth exclaimed: "Can't cope that Jay Spearing is playing for our U21s in the year 2023."
Which of your club's former players do you think could still do a job? Let us know in the comments section.
A fifth joked: "I like that Jay Spearing, maybe a pathway into the first team now if he plays well. Great young talent!" While a sixth similarly quipped: "Will have to keep an eye on this Jay Spearing lad."
Spearing is registered as one of the three over-aged players that Under-21s sides are allowed to field. He pulled the strings in the middle of the park against Barrow, coming off in the 58th minute with the team leading 1-0.
They ultimately lost the match following his substitution. It was his first start of the season, but he's made regular appearances off the bench including against former club Blackpool.
Speaking about still playing well into his 30s, Spearing told the club website in September: “Any time I can get out on the pitch, get my boots back on and help the boys out, it’s an absolute pleasure and it’s good fun.
“It’s fun and that’s part of my role as well to still play – whether that be on the training field or playing for the U21s. It’s been a really enjoyable time so far.”
Source: Read Full Article
