Jay Spearing will be returning to the Liverpool FC Academy as a full-time coach with the U18s group.

Spearing graduated from Kirkby and made 55 appearances for the first team, including a start in the 2012 FA Cup final under his boyhood hero Sir Kenny Dalglish.

Speaking about Spearing's return, Academy manager Alex Inglethorpe told Liverpoolfc.com: "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."