Jonjo Shelvey targets first team place at Liverpool

Jonjo Shelvey has so far failed to nail down a first team place (GETTY IMAGES)

Jonjo Shelvey has his sights firmly set on the Liverpool first team following his successful loan spell with Blackpool.

Shelvey scored six goals in 10 appearances for the Seasiders during his stint with the npower Championship side earlier this term before being called back to Anfield due to Lucas Leiva sustaining a season-ending cruciate knee ligament injury.

Along with Lucas, the Reds have captain Steven Gerrard (ankle) in the treatment room, while fellow midfielder Jay Spearing was sent off on his first Barclays Premier League start of the campaign at Fulham last week and still has two matches of his suspension to serve.

It presents a potential opportunity in the middle for Shelvey and the 19-year-old is keen to show manager Kenny Dalglish he is ready for action.

"I feel that the time I spent away from the club really helped me come on as a player," Shelvey told www.liverpoolfc.tv.

"But it also made me realise just how much I want to be playing in Liverpool's first team.

"There's a big difference between Championship football and Premier League football.

"It's so good to be back in and around the squad.

"I only got on for a few minutes on Saturday (in the 1-0 win against QPR) but it was really special to be back out there on the pitch in front of the fans. It's always a great honour to play for Liverpool.

"Kenny called me back and hopefully now I can show the gaffer what I can do.

"I've got to deliver day in, day out in training and try to force my way into his plans."

He added: "Obviously it was really unfortunate for Lucas to get such a bad injury and then for Jay to get a ban as well.

"With a few players missing there's definitely an opening there but it's down to the gaffer whether he wants to pick me.

"When my time comes I'll be waiting and ready to take my chance."

Meanwhile, another Reds midfield man Charlie Adam says he is not concerned by any additional sense of pressure to perform in the absence of the likes of Gerrard and Lucas - because responsibility is something he has felt from the moment he joined Liverpool this summer.

"I've always felt responsibility because when you come to a club like this you have to take responsibility and you can't hide," Adam said.

"The two players we've lost is a big loss for us - one is the captain and one is an international for Brazil.

"It's been difficult, but the lads have come in and done and great job.

"Hopefully we can continue that and it will be nice to see them back in the first team."

PA