Rafael Benitez shares what Jonjo Shelvey needs to do if he wants to keep Newcastle United place

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Jonjo Shelvey impressed for Newcastle United during their last match against Liverpool.

Rafael Benitez has told the Chronicle that if Jonjo Shelvey wants to play regularly for Newcastle United this season he will have to up his work-rate.

Shelvey has typically been renowned for his passing ability, rather than his defensive work off-the-ball.

However, the 25-year-old showed a lot of effort during Newcastle’s last match against Liverpool, as Benitez’s side picked up a 1-1 draw.

And the Spanish boss has claimed that Shelvey has now set a benchmark for the amount of application he will need to put in, if he is to keep his place in Newcastle’s starting line-up.

“Jonjo has the quality on the ball, I told him before the game, you know how to play football, you just have to work hard and keep your head focused on the game and you will play well. If he works as hard as he did, he will get more chances to play,” Benitez continued.

“That is the key for us as a team, to put the effort like we had to be competitive.”

Mikel Merino’s bright start at Newcastle had put Shelvey’s place in the Magpies’ starting line-up in doubt.

Benitez seemingly had reservations over using Merino and Shelvey in tandem, as they do not offer the same defensive steel as Isaac Hayden.

However, the pair worked well as a defensive shield yesterday, as Newcastle picked up a credible point against Liverpool.

Newcastle have made a positive start to the new campaign, and currently sit in ninth place in the Premier League table.