SHELVEY IS IMPORTANT

Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva has said that he expects the youngster Jonjo Shelvey to become an important member of the Liverpool squad in the next few years. The former Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish was instrumental in bringing Jonjo Shelvey into the first-team action. He was signed from Charlton athletic for just £ 1 million. Even though he has not been of a great influence in the first full season with the club, the Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva expects him to be instrumental in Liverpool's success in the next few seasons. Lucas Leiva experienced mixed reviews during his initial few seasons as a Liverpool player, but he has grown into a vital component.

He was extremely influential under Kenny Dalglish so much so that Liverpool were experiencing relegation form without the Brazilian international in the second half of the season. He has now successfully recovered from the anterior cruciate ligament injury suffered in the Carling cup match against Chelsea last season. Jonjo Shelvey has had a relatively quiet start to his Anfield career after he has made just 16 appearances and scored only two goals last season. Yet, Lucas Leiva has seen enough in the youngster to suggest that he might become a great player one-day.

"Jonjo is a young player, but he’s been with us for two or three seasons so we have seen every day he has a lot of quality and I think he will be a very good player for this club. He has been very impressive in pre-season and I am looking forward to helping him when he wants me to. Hopefully he will be a great addition this season. My advice to him would be just to keep working hard and when he gets a chance, to try and take it," said Lucas Leiva while on the pre-season tour.