Jonjo Shelvey signs new Liverpool contract

Liverpool midfielder Jonjo Shelvey has signed a new contract with the club.

The 20-year-old has found himself on the fringes of the first team at Anfield, making 37 appearances in all competitions since joining from Charlton in May 2010, but the club today confirmed he has put pen to paper on a new long-term deal.

Shelvey played 10 games in the first half of last season while on loan at Blackpool before returning to the Reds and making 16 appearances.

The midfielder told the Liverpool club website, Liverpool.tv: "I am really happy. Last season I was itching to try and push for a new contract. Now it's happened and I am ready to kick on again now."

Shelvey started Liverpool's last four Premier League matches of the season and scored in the 4-1 triumph over Chelsea at Anfield.

And the midfielder is hopeful of more first team opportunities under Brendan Rodgers, believing his reputation of playing passing football will aid his own progression.

He added: "I want to get into the first team and be in the starting XI on a permanent basis. That's going to be hard, but it's something I've got to work towards.

"It's lovely to know I am in the plans for the future. At the moment, it's just about getting things right each day and proving myself to the gaffer here. The gaffer and his way of playing will suit me down to the ground and hopefully I can be in his plans.

"I think he's great. With all the passing drills he's doing, he's encouraging us to play all the time which is nice for a football player. Instead of doing a lot of long-distance running and things like that in pre-season, everything has been with a ball, which is more enjoyable. Everyone is enjoying training and looking forward to coming in.

"I think going away (on loan) to Blackpool helped me a lot. It gave me some experience, I scored some goals and I came back a better player. Kenny (Dalglish) gave me a chance towards the latter stages of the season and I thought I showed what I can do."

PA