Liverpool vs Swansea preview: 'Jonjo Shelvey is lazy, he needs to wise up,' says Garry Monk

'He has to wise up'

Swansea's Jonjo Shelvey (Getty images)

Jonjo Shelvey faces being axed from an emotional return to Anfield after being branded “lazy” by his own manager.

Garry Monk tore into the midfielder after collecting an eighth “silly” yellow card of the season during the 1-0 win over Aston Villa at the Liberty Stadium on Boxing Day.

Shelvey, 22, who was at Liverpool from 2010-13, has already served a ban this season as his last visit to Merseyside brought a red card against Everton last month.

Monk said: “I have spoken to Jonjo about this and he has to wise up. The yellow card [against Villa] came from being lazy and he must be better than that. I have spoken to him about this and there are only so many times you can say it. He has to learn, otherwise he won’t play games.

“He must do the work instead of being lazy. Then he won’t pick up the yellow cards and risk a red. His ability is frightening and this may sound harsh but he’s not a kid any more. He’s been around long enough at the top level to know what it is.”

Brendan Rodgers, the Liverpool manager, has given Swansea permission to use his side’s training base before their FA Cup tie at Tranmere on Saturday, but Monk joked that the offer could be withdrawn if the Welsh club win on Monday night.

The two forged a close bond during Rodgers’ time as manager at Swansea and Monk said: “I asked Brendan if we can use the facilities there. He said yes – but it depends on the result!”