Shelvey eyes FA Cup final spot

Liverpool midfielder Jonjo Shelvey has set his sights on staking a claim for an FA Cup final starting berth when his side face Fulham.

The 20-year-old has featured more regularly this season at Anfield, with midfield duo Lucas Leiva and Charlie Adam absent with long-term injuries.

And, after playing 90 minutes at Carrow Road as Liverpool defeated Norwich City 3-0 on Saturday, Shelvey is hoping to put himself in the frame to play against Chelsea with another strong performance on Tuesday.

“I enjoyed it and there’s nothing better than when you’ve come off the pitch having played the full 90 minutes and the team has won,” Shelvey said.

“If I’m selected I will give it my all and try my best for the team. You have to try and force your way into the gaffer’s plans, not just during a match but every day in training.

“There’s not a day you can come in to this club and rest on your laurels. You have to give it everything you have got every day.

“The FA Cup final can wait until Saturday and this is our important game because it is the next one. You can’t just forget about the league and the manager has put that into our heads all week.

“For me as a young boy who might not get a chance in the cup final this is my chance, if selected, to play for Liverpool in the league.”

The win over Norwich was Liverpool’s first league victory since beating Merseyside rivals Everton in March, and Shelvey is hoping his team-mates can build on the performance.

“We’ve got to get back to winning ways at home first and foremost. It doesn’t matter who our opponents are and we have to start turning those draws into wins,” Shelvey said.

“We know we are good enough. We have missed so many chances this season and we need to put them away and start finishing teams off.

“Fulham lost 4-0 at Everton on Saturday and they will be looking to get over that defeat. I know Fulham are a very good team with a great manager but we’ve just got to stick at what we are good at and hopefully that will be enough.”