Forgotten Premier League cult hero, 35, sent off in U21 match
A FORGOTTEN Premier League cult hero was sent off for Liverpool Under-21s against Reading today.
Jay Spearing, who made 30 appearances for the Reds’ senior team between 2008 and 2013, now stars for the Under-21s.
He featured again today in their Premier League 2 clash with the Royals at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.
However, with the score at 0–0 in the 89th minute, Spearing was sent off after he was adjudged to have handled the ball on the line.
The hosts were then awarded a penalty.
But goalkeeper Fabian Mrozek, 20, spared Spearing’s blushes by saving 20-year-old Jahmari Clarke’s effort from 12 yards to allow Liverpool to escape with a point.
When fans heard that Spearing had been ejected, they were in disbelief.
One fan said: “Should I laugh or cry 😂. Don’t know.”
A second said: “Jay Spearing getting sent off playing for the academy, it’s inexplicably funny to me.”
A third said: “Hahaha, that’s amazing.”
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Another said: “Gotta teach the kids life lessons 😆.”
Speaking about the match, U21 boss Barry Lewtas told the club media: “It was an exciting match. It was really competitive and we had to fight until the end.
“I’m really happy with the boys, how we stayed together all game, and especially late after we were down to ten men.
“Overall it was a really strong point for us and the camaraderie we showed and the way we dug in and stuck together was hugely pleasing. We’ll take the positives and move on to the next one one now.”
The point puts Liverpool sixth in the table, eight points behind leaders Tottenham.
They will take on Man City U21’s next match.
Spearing’s suspension means he will not return to action until the Liverpool legends’ match against Ajax on March 23.
In his career he most famously played for Bolton, Blackpool and Tranmere.
He returned to Liverpool in 2022 as coach for the Under-18s, but was also registered as an overage player with the Under-23s.
Spearing’s second professional debut for Liverpool came against Rochdale for the Liverpool U21s in 2022.
Spearing is not the only Prem cult hero to play in the development leagues, with Tom Huddlestone playing for Manchester United, for whom he scored a winner in a derby against Man City in February.