Liverpool Transfer News: Reds Would Be Making a Mistake Selling Jonjo Shelvey

Liverpool would be foolish to sell Jonjo Shelvey outright this summer.

The Daily Mail's Simon Jones reported Norwich City have asked the Reds what it would take to secure the midfielder's services:

"

Norwich have made an enquiry for Liverpool midfielder Jonjo Shelvey.

The England U21 international has shown glimpses of his potential at Anfield since joining from Charlton for £1.7m in 2010 but has failed to command a regular starting berth.

Shelvey only started 18 matches last season, and just nine in the Premier League, making a further 15 substitute appearances as he scored five goals.

The club will expect any bidding to start around £5m rising to £8m for the 21-year-old.

"

This comes as a bit of surprise as you'd figure Shelvey figures into Liverpool's future. He's shown some flashes on the pitch, and you don't get the feeling he's just another young, hyped-up British player.

Shelvey did only appear in 28 matches across the Europa League and Premier League last year, but there's no reason to think he's got no future at Anfield. He is only 21 years old, after all. It's far too early to completely write him off as not good enough for Liverpool.

The problem is that Shelvey's got Steven Gerrard, Jordan Henderson, Lucas Leiva and Joe Allen to compete with in the center of midfield. If he wants to move further up the pitch, Shelvey would likely be ruining the Daniel Sturridge/Luis Suarez/Coutinho trident that was so successful this season.

Henderson established himself this season, and Lucas is arguably the most important player on the pitch for the Reds. They'll be hard to displace any time soon.

Gerrard can't play forever, though, and the jury is still out on what role Allen can play with the squad.

If the club could reach any sort of loan deal with a Premier League club, that would be the optimal setup. Shelvey was sent out on loan to Blackpool during the 2011/12 season, but he had to come back to Liverpool after the injury to Lucas.

It was a shame, too, as Shelvey was getting regular first-team football. And the benefits were there for all to see. He had six goals and three assists in 10 starts. It's the kind of form he hasn't been able to consistently show with the Reds.

Despite his potential, it's not as if Shelvey will be considered untouchable. He's not so good that if Norwich or another Premier League club offered something like £8-10 million, Liverpool would simply ignore it.

He hasn't played a big role in the past and will likely be wanting more first-team football soon. If push comes to shove, it's probably better to sell him rather than have a disgruntled player in the dressing room.

Also, the club would be making a profit on him after the £3 million it paid to Charlton back in 2010.

Still, Shelvey has not had an easy time at Anfield.

Since moving to Liverpool from Charlton, the midfielder has shown promise, but he's not had much of a chance to follow through on it.

He's often been shifted between a central-midfield role and one higher up the pitch from week to week. Any young midfielder would have a hard time being shifted around the pitch.

Henderson struggled to fit into the team when Kenny Dalglish was pretty much playing him everywhere but goalkeeper. Under Brendan Rodgers, he's been locked in a central midfield spot, and his career has benefited as a result.

Shelvey's career could take a similar boost should he become solidified in one position. He seems to be the kind of midfielder who's much better bearing down on goal in more of a CAM role rather than a playmaker deeper in the pitch.

Some might be disappointed with how little he was able to do this season. He looked poised for a breakout campaign, but it just didn't come.

However, until he gets a much more regular chance in the lineup, it's unfair to make a judgment. Shelvey's probably never gonna be a world-class midfielder, but he should have more than enough talent to become a solid contributor and rotation player.