Former Wanderers midfielder Jay Spearing has returned to Liverpool in a coaching role.

Spearing joined the Whites in the summer of 2012, initially on a loan deal before making the move permanent 12 months later.

The midfielder went on to make 173 appearances for Wanderers in total, scoring eight goals in the process.

He was part of the squad that won promotion from League One under Phil Parkinson in 2017 but left the club the following summer at the end of his contract.

Spearing has since had spells with Blackpool and more recently Tranmere, having made 89 appearances for the Merseyside club prior to his release.

The 33-year-old will now work with the Under-18 side at Anfield alongside Marc Bridge-Wilkinson and Tim Jenkins.

Academy manager Alex Inglethorpe told the club’s website: "It's fantastic to welcome Jay back to the Academy and he will work with the U18s as a full-time coach.

"Jay will work with Bridgey and Tim and he will be actively involved on the training field with our young players.

"He will also be eligible to play for the U21s to provide experience for the young players when we need him.

"Jay is still quite young and the impact he can have around the U18s is invaluable because he is someone who lives and breathes this club.

"More important, Jay has played across all four divisions, so I think he will be a really good addition for us."

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