'I want to be the one in Henderson's shoes'
Jonjo Shelvey is eager to follow in the footsteps of Jordan Henderson and Stewart Downing and force his way into the Liverpool first team.
The 20-year-old has not started a Barclays Premier League game for the Reds since Boxing Day 2012.
His teammates Henderson and Downing both sat through spells on the sidelines earlier in the season before going on to stake a claim for regular starting berths.
"Stewart and Jordan were not playing at the start of the season and they have worked hard day-in, day-out since to force their way into the side," Shelvey told Liverpoolfc.com.
"They've worked their socks off to get back into the team and it's paid off for them.
"They are enjoying a good spell in the side and Jordan has scored two goals in two games.
"I'm happy for him to get his games but I want to be the one in his shoes and getting myself back into the team."
The Reds added their second and final signing of the January transfer window on Wednesday when Brazilian Philippe Coutinho arrived on Merseyside.
The skilful midfielder will not feature against Manchester City at the weekend but he is set to join training early next week.
Shelvey knows his arrival adds to the already fierce competition for places in Brendan Rodgers' starting XI.
"I haven't found myself playing as much lately," said Shelvey. "There's going to be even more competition for places now.
"It's down to us to roll our sleeves up and fight for our place in the team and show the manager and the coaching staff what we are about.
"It's just a case of working hard day-in, day-out and remaining professional."
One man the youngster can certainly learn from is his next-door neighbour Steven Gerrard.
"He's just such a role model, not only on the field but off it," said Shelvey. "You never see him in any newspapers, you never see him falling out of clubs or things like that.
"He has been spot on with me ever since I have come in. He's been first-class.
"Living next door to him adds to that as well because he's literally 25 yards away. It's nice to have him around and I know he's there if I ever need any advice."
Shelvey looked on from the bench as the Reds stormed to a two-goal lead over Arsenal at the Emirates on Wednesday.
They were pegged back in a frenzied three minutes of play in the second half during which Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott fired for the home side.
However, Shelvey, like many others, was impressed by the side's impressive level of performance - and he believes such a display will add plenty of confidence ahead of a difficult weekend.
"When you go to places like Arsenal, it's always good to get something from the game," said Shelvey. "I think the way we have played in the first half meant we deserved a lot more than a point. The gaffer said not to be too disappointed with the point.
"Our aim was to take four, possibly six points, from the games against Arsenal and Manchester City and I think Arsenal will be the tougher of the two games.
"When we lost to Oldham it was a big shock for the football club but it was down to the players to put it right and I think they did that against Arsenal.
"We're out of the cups and we have only got two more trophies to play for. It's disappointing to go out of the FA Cup but it's important that we bounce straight back from that. And I think we have."