Willing Wisdom eager to learn
Goalscoring debutant Andre Wisdom believes Liverpool's youngsters are learning every day from the club's senior players and relishing the chance to prove themselves in the first team.
The defender took his first opportunity to impress immediately, putting his name on the scoresheet in the Europa League victory over Young Boys last Thursday on his senior debut for the Reds.
Now, with the help of more experienced defensive colleagues such as Jamie Carragher and Glen Johnson, the 19-year-old wants to continue his progress.
"It was obviously good to be in the squad for a start, to travel to a Europa League game in Switzerland with the team," Wisdom explained to Liverpoolfc.com. "Even better news to be starting and get a game and make my debut for Liverpool."
With the score tied at 1-1 in Switzerland, the youngster connected perfectly with a Nuri Sahin corner to head into the back of the net, a landmark moment for Wisdom and his family.
He recalled: "It was a great ball from Nuri and I just attacked it, I was in the air for quite a while and I finished it off pretty well. It was great for me, my family and my friends, and I enjoyed it.
"I went back and I had 100 BBMs and loads of WhatsApp messages and stuff. Everyone was just pleased for me and I'm glad that the team won as well because if we lose and I score, it takes away the goal. But I'm glad that we came through in the end and won the game."
The Reds had trailed 3-2 at one stage in their Group A opener at the Stade de Suisse, but a late brace from Jonjo Shelvey secured three points. Wisdom admitted the match was a new, tougher experience.
He explained: "It's a big learning curve because we went up 2-1 at half-time then came back out and they got two fairly quick goals. It showed us that as a team we've got a lot of character between us.
"[The difference] from reserve-team football is that you've got to be a lot more sharp, a lot more switched on. They are a lot more clinical in the first-team, one mistake is pretty much one goal. It's a lot more focused, be more in sync with the game."
Wisdom's job was made easier to some extent by the help of those around him, and the Academy graduate revealed how vice-captain Carragher offered words of advice before and during the game.
"With players like Jamie Carragher playing alongside you, he can coach you through the game and help you out in so many different aspects. It was good," said Wisdom.
"Before the game, he was just saying 'be yourself' because if you weren't you wouldn't be here otherwise, which is always good to know that you can go into the game knowing you don't have to try to do anything that you don't usually do.
"During the game, he's helping you out all the time - where to be, mark on the inside and the outside, more tactical-wise. Pretty much to just go out and enjoy it because when you enjoy it, you play better."
Wisdom speaks both with the enthusiasm of a player loving every minute of his time at Liverpool and the passion of a youngster determined to improve his ability.
"It's great coming into Melwood every morning, to see the likes of Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher, people who you look up to from being a little boy in your bedroom watching Match of the Day when you're supposed to be asleep," he said.
"The manager is good, he speaks to you on a regular basis, helps you and tells you little things you need to improve on and things that you're good at, which always helps with your confidence. It's a great experience.
"There are many things I need to improve and I'm still young, still learning. The biggest one is to learn from the senior players, the likes of Jamie Carragher, Glen Johnson and even Martin Kelly, because they play in my position - in defence, centre-back, right-back.
"So learn from them, come in every day with good enthusiasm and attitude, and try to progress."
Wisdom is one of several members of the youth sides to have been fast-tracked into the first-team picture this season and the defender is confident the prospects will seize their chance.
"He has given a few young players opportunities already, the likes of Raheem, who has taken his opportunity great and I'm proud of him for that," continued Wisdom.
"Suso came on the other day, there's Jack [Robinson], Morgo [Adam Morgan], Flanno [Jon Flanagan] - loads of young players who are enjoying being up at Melwood. When we get the opportunity, we hope to grasp it with both hands.
"There's loads more to come. Raheem is a great player, Suso is a great player. They are still young so don't rush to see things so soon, but there's plenty more to come. They are great players and the manager will guide them in the correct way."
For now, Wisdom's focus is on his own future, and with injuries besetting Daniel Agger and Martin Kelly, first-team appearances could be available sooner rather than later, starting with Wednesday's trip to West Bromwich Albion.
"It's unfortunate that players have got injured, the likes of Martin Kelly - I wish him all the best," the No.47 concluded.
"But it's an opportunity for me to possibly get on the bench, the team or in the squad. If the opportunity comes, I'll try to take it and do my best for Liverpool.
"I'm in that stage where put me in goal and I'll try to save any shot. I'm just happy to play, especially for the reserves and the first team. Just to put on the Liverpool shirt and give my all is what any lad wants."