Jonjo Shelvey admits he regrets leaving Liverpool in 2013 to join Swansea City - but insists the decision paved the way for him to join another big club in Newcastle United.
The 27-year-old is back in the United team after a long stint on the sidelines due to injury and non-selection after having to fight his way back into contention under Rafa Benitez.
Shelvey is desperate to face his old club Liverpool on Saturday night at St James' Park and says he will be revved up for the big clash.
The midfielder told the Chronicle: "I probably shouldn't have left Liverpool.
"I had the option to stay but I felt I had to go away as I was at that age where I wanted to play football matches.
"You'd get a game one week, big players would come back and you'd be out of the team next week.
"It was stop-start.
"I came away from Liverpool and kinda had regrets.
"But it is what it is.
"I played a lot of football at Swansea and that helped me get a move to Newcastle."
The England international said: "All the stuff that you read on Twitter and people saying you have no future here is one thing.
"But when I see fans in the city and at the ground, the fans are nothing but nice to me.
"I can't fault them.
"They have always said they want me to play and things like that.
"Until they stop saying that and while this club is paying my wages, I will continue to give it everything I've got for this football club."
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Newcastle go into the encounter with the Reds knowing they can take a step closer to getting more points than they did last season.
However, they now know the highest position they can finish is 11th in the table - one place further down than last year's top 10 finish.
Nevertheless, the Toon players are approaching the battle with Jurgen Klopp's side very seriously despite having very little to play for but pride and Premier League prize money.
Shelvey said: "It's live on Sky Sports and it's a huge game.
"I'll have a lot of family up there too.
"It will be a good game.
"I'd obviously love to play against Liverpool.
"Especially given the situation they are in at the minute as it will be a cracking game.
"The games between Newcastle and Liverpool are always high scoring games.
"But I just want to train well and hopefully retain my place for Saturday night."
Shelvey also stated he was keen to get back into the swing of things after starting his first game in the Premier League since November during the 1-1 draw at Brighton last weekend.
He said: "Don't get me wrong I have been very, very down because you want to play football.
"You can take all the money away because at the end of the day all you want to do is play football.
"There's nothing worse than a footballer training all week and then not playing at the end of it.
"It hurts you.
"You see the lads smiling and running around and you don't feel part of it.
"You have to stick by it and stick with the team and eventually your time will come."
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