McMahon: Spearing a fine example

John McMahon believes Jay Spearing's first start for Rafa's XI at Leeds set a fine example for the youngsters in his squad to try and emulate.

The Wirral-born midfielder is in Italy with the first-team squad preparing for the Champions League clash with Fiorentina while the reserves take on Mark Hughes's second string at the City of Manchester Stadium tonight.
 
"It's always nice for young lads to push through and make their full debut for the first team and I thought Jay did well," McMahon told Liverpoolfc.tv.
 
"He is no stranger to first-team football now but it's always a positive for the lads in the reserve team to see someone like Jay get a start for the first team because that's what it's all about. They can see the progression is there for them.
 
"You can put Jay into any game, any situation and he will adapt and always give 100 per cent for the team. That's the type of lad Jay is.
 
"Ultimately results are nice but our main job is to get the players ready to see whether they are good enough to play in the first team."
 
McMahon takes his side to the City of Manchester tonight - a match that will see Daniel Agger make his return to action after recovering from a back injury.
 
"It's a good game for us and great to play at the City of Manchester Stadium," he said.
 
"I have been to watch City a few times this season and they are a strong very powerful and athletic side.
 
"It will be a good test for our lads and we are looking forward to it."
 
One player hoping to get the chance to play alongside Agger is French defender Chris Mavinga, who has made a favourable impression at Melwood since his summer move to Anfield.
 
During the last game, a 1-0 win over Manchester United, Mavinga was given David Fairclough's Man of the Match award.
 
"Chris did really well against United and he is getting better and better," said McMahon.
 
"He still has a lot to learn but he has a lot of good qualities in his play. He has pace and can play in a couple of positions at the back. We are trying to think what his best position might be as he can fit in comfortably at centre-back and left-back.
 
"He has settled in well. His English is getting better, he mixes with the lads and hopefully there's a lot of good things to come from Chris."