Spearing ready to fight

Liverpool midfielder Jay Spearing says he is ready to stake his claim for a place in new manager Brendan Rodgers' starting XI.

Midfielder feels it is a clean slate under new boss Rodgers

Liverpool midfielder Jay Spearing says he is ready to stake his claim for a place in new manager Brendan Rodgers' starting XI. The 23-year-old started 15 games in the Premier League last season and has faced tough competition throughout his Reds career. However, the homegrown prospect is determined to make his mark on Rodgers during the coming campaign and is not worried about fighting for a spot in the team. "I've had to compete with Stevie (Gerrard) and Lucas (Leiva)," Spearing told the club's official website.

Knuckle down

"The likes of Xabi Alonso have been here and Javier Mascherano and we could probably go on for a long time about the number of players who have played in a similar position as me. "But there have been a few changes at the club and it's been a clean slate - not just for me as a young player but for the rest of the lads. "New players will come in; maybe some in the summer or maybe some in January but I'll just have to stake my claim and show the manager that he doesn't have to go and buy players in my position. "We've all got to knuckle down and show the new manager exactly what we're capable of doing and we want to fight for our places."