Jonjo Shelvey opens up on turbulent spell in Turkey as former Liverpool star reveals the events that led to his sleeping pill addiction

Former Liverpool and Swansea City midfielder Jonjo Shelvey has revealed how his turbulent spell playing in Turkey led to a severe addiction to sleeping pills. Shelvey explained that loneliness and boredom caused him to turn to medication to pass the time instead of drinking alcohol, eventually escalating his intake to six or seven tablets per evening to build tolerance.

Shelvey noted that the addiction heavily damaged his relationship with his children before his wife helped him overcome it. Following a subsequent spell with Burnley, the 34-year-old has retired from playing and is now the head coach of UAE side Arabian Falcons.