Shelvey: Joe's raised our game
Jonjo Shelvey has revealed how the arrival of Joe Allen at Liverpool prompted him and other players vying for central midfield spots to raise their game at Melwood.
Rather than be fazed by the new signing, the 20-year-old insists the added challenge to secure a first-team place has spurred him on to work that bit harder in training.
Shelvey admits the sessions have been played at a particularly high tempo and tackles have been flying in thick and fast now that the competition for places has been ratcheted up a level.
"It's exciting times because there is a lot of competition in midfield," he told Liverpoolfc.com. "But that's something that we're all relishing and you can see that every day in training.
"The tackles are flying in and people are really competing. But obviously, when you walk off the training ground, they are your mates again. That type of competition is good to have at a club like Liverpool.
"Already you can see that Joe is a good ball player. He was away with the Olympic team and he did very well."
Shelvey stood out during pre-season, featuring in all three of the Reds' friendlies during their North American tour as well as starting in the home leg of the Europa League third-round qualifier against FC Gomel.
And while the midfielder feels he went some way to showing the new manager what he is capable of during that time, he has no intentions of resting on his laurels.
"I think pre-season went well," Shelvey said. "The game time that I got was good and I felt like I proved to the new boss that I want to stay here and I want to fight for my place. Everyone at the club is excited for the new season and I think we'll do very well this year.
"The manager said that I should look to put pressure on the ball at all times. He likes the team to win the ball back within six seconds of losing possession. He's also got a big philosophy of passing the ball which is good for a player like me.
"I think we definitely need to get this club back into the top four and restore the status that it once had. The team are benefitting from the manager's guidance and I think the fans have seen that in the performances of the team so far.
"Liverpool should be challenging for the Champions League spots and then kick on from there this season."
Shelvey netted six goals in 10 games while out on loan at Blackpool last season and the midfielder added two more to his tally for the Reds following his return.
The second of which came in the final home game of the season against Chelsea, when he directed a mis-hit clearance from 'keeper Ross Turnbull into the back of an empty Kop net from 30 yards out.
But Shelvey insists he has set no specific targets for goal-getting this season - other than to take his chances when they come along.
"If I play, the goals should come," he said. "If I keep getting into the box and applying myself like that, then I'll score goals. I haven't really set myself a target but whenever you get a chance to score, you've just got to be composed and relaxed and take your opportunity."
West Brom are up first for Shelvey and his teammates as the Reds prepare to kick-off their 2012-13 Barclays Premier League campaign against former Liverpool coach Steve Clarke's side at the Hawthorns.
Shelvey trained under the guidance of Clarke during the former Chelsea man's time at Anfield - and the No.33 believes his former coach will send out a regimented yet attacking side, which will be capable of posing a real threat to Liverpool on Saturday.
"We can expect the same from his team as what Kenny brought to Liverpool as manager," explained Shelvey. "I expect to see attacking, flowing football. Clarkey is very good defensively as well so I don't think they will concede many this year.
"But with our attacking football I think we should open them up. It will be a tough challenge."