Swansea City midfielder Jonjo Shelvey has revealed how he decided he had to become his own man rather than spend his life trying to emulate Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard.
As the Jacks get set to take on the Reds at the Liberty Stadium, the 21-year old has explained his upbringing as a Gerrard fan and how he opted to leave Anfield to start afresh in south Wales.
"I went from living in a council house to this big house and looking out of my window at his place," said Shelvey.
"It's mad, mental, because I grew up watching him and then to be living next door to him was insane.
"I've always tried to emulate him because he has always been my favourite player. You learn by seeing what he does on the training pitch and for Liverpool and England over a number of years - spectacular."
He added: "I suppose there comes a time in your life when you can't copy him, you have got to be your own player.
"I'm not going out there every game and saying 'I've got be like Steven Gerrard'.
"I play the way I play and if that's the way he plays then brilliant because I'd be happy to have half the career he's had.
"I'm not one to go on the training pitch and ask for tips. It's not the way I am, but if I do see something I'll probably try it - and end up looking like an idiot!
"I said to Stevie that I might have to go elsewhere to get football and he told me 'stay here, you'll get your chance'.
"It was great to hear that from him but I felt I needed to come away. It was probably mad because that's me turning him down to stay there, but I felt I had to get away to play and I'm lucky that I've found my feet at a club like Swansea."
