Jay Spearing is making a surprise return to Liverpool in a player-coach role following his release from Tranmere Rovers earlier this summer.
The ECHO understands the 33-year-old is rejoining his boyhood club in an innovative new role which will see him help coach the Reds’ Under-18s side and younger age groups, while also being available for selection exclusively for the club’s Under-21s side as an overage player, following Premier League 2's decision to change the age limit back to from Under-23s.
The development role has been initiated by youth director Alex Inglethorpe, with the academy director keen to bring the midfielder back to the club in such a role. Liverpool bosses are delighted to have him on board and see Spearing as the perfect role-model for the club’s younger players to aid them make the step from promising academy player to being able to play for the Reds’ first team or pursue a senior career elsewhere.
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However, Spearing’s role back with Liverpool will mainly be a coaching one, aiding Marc Bridge-Wilkinson. The 33-year-old is likely to only play the occasional Under-21s match, with his experience deemed beneficial when the young Reds face Football League sides in the Papa John’s Trophy for example.
A number of Premier League sides have recruited senior professionals to fulfil such roles in recent season, with, Liverpool's Under-23s finding themselves facing off against former Republic of Ireland international Paul McShane after he returned to Manchester United in a similar player-coach role last season.
An FA Youth Cup winner and former Liverpool Under-18s captain, Spearing successfully progressed through the Reds' academy and went on to make 55 senior appearances, under Rafa Benitez, Roy Hodgson, Kenny Dalglish and Brendan Rodgers. Starting in the 2012 FA Cup final against Chelsea at Wembley, he also played alongside the likes of current club captain Jordan Henderson before being sold to Bolton Wanderers in 2013 following a successful season on loan with the Whites.
Having spent the entirety of his post-Anfield career in the Football League, going on to enjoy stints with Blackburn Rovers and Blackpool, he returned to Merseyside with League Two Tranmere in 2020 and has pursued a coaching career while continuing to play in recent years.
A regular presence at the Kirkby academy, Spearing had already been coaching back at Liverpool alongside playing for Tranmere as he looked to obtain his badges. And after leaving Prenton Park at the end of his contract, having made 89 appearances across two seasons, he is now set to continue his career back at Liverpool as he looks to finish his coaching badges.
