‘Had regrets’: 27-year-old admits he should never have left Liverpool

Former Liverpool midfielder Jonjo Shelvey has opened up about his departure from Anfield, and spending the early years of his football career in the red shirt.

The Englishman was part of a group of youngsters who were flourishing in the Liverpool team in 2012, with hopes of making it at the highest level within a few years.

Indeed, at 20 years old, Shelvey was enjoying a lot of minutes in the Liverpool first team and he was even included in the squad for the FA Cup final against Chelsea at Wembley stadium.

Ultimately, the signings of new midfielders under Brendan Rodgers saw Shelvey slowly lose his place in the team as he was shipped out to Swansea City in 2013.

After his bright start to his career at Anfield, there was a sense of unfinished business after Shelvey’s departure.

Speaking to the Chronicle ahead of Newcastle’s home game against Liverpool last weekend, the midfielder admitted that he would not make the same decision if he could turn back the clock.

“I probably shouldn’t have left Liverpool,” the one-time Charlton Athletic youngster said.

“I had the option to stay but I felt I had to go away as I was at that age where I wanted to play football matches.

“You’d get a game one week, big players would come back and you’d be out of the team next week. I came away from Liverpool and kinda had regrets.”