Spearing boosted by backing

Spearing: Pleased by opportunity

Liverpool's Jay Spearing is determined to continue to make his first-team opportunities count after starting against Steaua Bucharest.

The 21-year-old was in the Reds' starting XI at Anfield for the first time in Thursday night's Europa League match and starred as a much-changed side earned a 4-1 victory.

Spearing was loaned to Leicester under former Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez last season, but he was named in Roy Hodgson's Premier League squad for the current campaign.

The Wirral-born midfielder has been boosted by the faith of his new manager and the start against Bucharest has only helped to increase his motivation.

Confidence

"That was a massive moment for me to start my first game for Liverpool at Anfield and I will take a lot from the game," Spearing told his club's official website.

"I got a lot of confidence when the manager told me I would be playing and I went out there and really enjoyed it.

"The manager has given me a lot of confidence and I know I have to keep working hard every time I get the chance in the first team."

Spearing is also encouraged by the fact that Hodgson has revealed that he will continue to use all the players in his squad in the Europa League.

"It's great news the manager has the faith in us and we have to work as hard as we can and it could also lead to us getting a chance in the Premier League," he said.