James McConnell made his first senior start in Liverpool's 5-2 victory against Norwich in the FA Cup on Sunday.
“You put in lots of hard work for opportunities like that,” the midfielder told the Reds' website. “We’re just grateful for the opportunity and I had to just try to take it and do the best I can.
“You’re hoping, more than thinking, probably. You’re just thinking maybe he’ll give me a chance because of the history he’s got for giving youngsters a chance, like you see with Con [Bradley] and Jarell [Quansah], Stefan [Bajcetic] last year.
“It was more hope, but you always know if you work hard that the chance is going to come and you’ve just got to try to do your best to take it.”
“He leaves you to it, [and] that’s the best way," McConnell added when asked what Jurgen Klopp told him before the game.
“If he plays you, he knows that you’re ready so the best thing he can do is treat you like all the other players. It gives you a confidence boost. [He said] nothing major, just that your family is all here, so make sure you enjoy it.”
McConnell provided an assist to Curtis Jones for the Reds' opening goal, an inch-perfect long ball from the deep.
“I saw him making a run and thought on my left foot I’d just try to find him,” the 19-year-old said of the assist. “I was grateful it happened so early, [because] it calmed me down, I think, for the rest of the game.
“Three assists between us [him and Bradley] is quite good I think! Con was obviously really good, and I’m happy to play alongside the boys I’ve come through the Academy with. It was a special, special day.”
