McAuley said: "I've always liked players who have given 100 per cent and have great talent. John comes into that category. He is a worker and influences the team every time he plays and at some stage in his career he needs to be given that opportunity to play football.
"He is desperate to play and show what he can do and hopefully he will get that opportunity here, but we will have to wait and see.
"John is in a situation at the start of the season where he is part of the England Under-21 squad and hopefully he will get another chance soon under Peter Taylor to play.
"At reserve team level John has been a consistent performer for the last two seasons in central midfield and is the captain. John will be disappointed he hasn't been a part of the first team squad directly at the start of the season. It is now up to him to prove to the manager he is capable of playing for the first team then hopefully he will get that opportunity.
"If that opportunity is not going to be at Liverpool soon then sooner rather than later he needs the opportunity to play some league football, either on loan or move on.
"I sincerely hope he gets a chance here at Liverpool because every day in training he impresses people with his attitude and work rate, and hopefully the manager will have a look at him again