Starlet: Fulham made me hungrier
Lloyd Jones believes he took big strides forward in his fledgling career in 2012-13 – but admits there's still much more hard work to be done before he's challenging for a place in the Liverpool first team.
The 17-year-old defender was named among the Reds substitutes for the Barclays Premier League clash at Fulham on May 12 - his first ever involvement with the senior side.
Jones admits it was an experience that served to increase his desire to break into Brendan Rodgers' team, though he's well aware it's no easy task.
"This season has gone really well for me and it has been a great learning curve for me," he told Sky Sports.
"It was a massive experience for me to be involved in the first team and I really, really enjoyed it and I learnt a lot.
"It has definitely made me hungry to play for the first team and hopefully I can do that in the future.
"I know I am a long way off from becoming the finished article.
"I am at the first stage of my career and I am determined to work hard to become the best I can."
Jones added: "I am going to work hard this summer. I had some time off, but now I just want to get back into it.
"Hopefully I can impress in training when we go back and if I get the chance in a match then hopefully I can impress."
Rodgers showed faith in Liverpool's youth setup during his first season at the Anfield helm, blooding no fewer than seven Academy graduates throughout the course of the campaign.
Jones admits such willingness to deploy youngsters provided the Reds' starlets with a boost in their confidence of making the grade.
"Definitely it is encouraging for every young player that the manager will give young players a chance," he said.
"It spurs you on when you see your mates go into the first team. You want it to be you and it spurs you on to get to the first team a lot quicker."