Jay Spearing admits his Liverpool career didn't spark until Kenny Dalglish took charge.

While Spearing took his initial steps into senior football when Rafael Benitez occupied the manager's office at Melwood, Kenny Dalglish is the first gaffer to entrust in him a regular Premier League role.

"I'm massively grateful to him," Spearing told liverpoolfc.tv. "When Rafa was here he gave me the odd game, and when Roy Hodgson came in he gave me a lot of European games, which allowed me to play different types of football.

"But Kenny has given me a lot of confidence by playing me in the Premier League and in cup games.

"Knowing a manager has that backing for you, it gives you a personal belief, and hopefully it's showing in the games.

"I've got to repay him. Even in training I try to prove myself every day. I've got to try and get better and better. And it's not just him - I want to impress the players around me so they know I'm capable of playing alongside them."