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<\/p>\nLiverpool mixed youth with experience for their EFL Trophy clash – as 34-year-old Jay Spearing started alongside players half his age.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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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.<\/p>\n
One questioned: "Jay Spearing? Am I seeing this right?" And another asked: "Is that the same Jay Spearing we know?"<\/p>\n
"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."<\/p>\n
Which of your club's former players do you think could still do a job? Let us know in the comments section.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n
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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."<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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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.<\/p>\n
Speaking about still playing well into his 30s, Spearing told the club website in September: \u201cAny time I can get out on the pitch, get my boots back on and help the boys out, it\u2019s an absolute pleasure and it\u2019s good fun.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s fun and that\u2019s part of my role as well to still play \u2013 whether that be on the training field or playing for the U21s. It\u2019s been a really enjoyable time so far.\u201d<\/p>\n