LIVERPOOL Reserves manager Gary Ablett praised the 'galvanising' effect of Jay Spearing following his side’s 2-2 draw with Manchester United Reserves.

The Reds had been heading for defeat at The Halliwell Jones Stadium on Thursday night after a disappointing first half performance.

But Ablett’s youngsters fought back with style to secure a point and fresh from a heralded cameo against Real Madrid in the Champions League, the all-action midfielder Spearing led the charge.

Ablett said: “Jay doesn’t just have that effect against Real Madrid at Anfield, he has that effect when he comes on at Warrington. “He galvanised the crowd and got a great reception. He sets the tone, gets about people, making tackles and plays the ball nice and simple.

“We’re really pleased with him and all our players.”

The manager revealed he urged his team to get closer to Manchester United’s players in the second half to stop them playing.

He said: “I think on the balance of play they probably deserved to go in 2-1 up at the end of the first half but second half we defended well, we pressed them a lot better and I was pleased with the way we played.”

The Reds’ boss said he was disappointed by suspected hamstring injuries to goalscorer Philipp Degen and forward Vitor Flora.

Regarding Degen, he added: “We didn’t want to take any chances. He felt his groin so we erred on the side of caution.”