Liverpool U21 player-coach Jay Spearing says he's drawing inspiration from Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard.

Gerrard launched his coaching career with the Reds, just as Spearing is today.

Spearing told the Liverpool Echo: "I will strive and work hard to go and get that. Right now, all I can do is concentrate on the journey and the opportunity I have been given. I will learn and see what comes. There is a lot of hard work ahead but the end goal is to get myself out there in the big wide world of the professional game.

"Steven was one of the people who passed on the message to say 'Good luck and learn' after I was appointed. He told me the same thing I have already explained about Alex being an incredible person to work for and that he's well-educated, well-regarded and there's no better person to learn from.

"The Academy is a great place to learn but also make mistakes behind the scenes, without the cameras and pundits, where I won't be crucified or sacked after five games. I hope to follow in the footsteps of the staff who have come before because you've got the likes of Steve Cooper at Nottingham Forest and Neil Critchley at Aston Villa, who have come through and gone on to make a name for themselves."