'Now I'm hoping to get the same chance'
Conor Coady has watched the likes of Jon Flanagan and Raheem Sterling thrive under the tutelage of Brendan Rodgers and now the young midfielder wants to tread the same pathway at Liverpool.
The combative 21-year-old spent the entirety of the 2013-14 campaign with League One outfit Sheffield United, helping the Blades in their dream run to an FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.
On Wednesday, Coady was back in the colours of the Reds, starting the post-season friendly against Shamrock Rovers in Dublin, which Brendan Rodgers' side comprehensively won 4-0.
Alongside him at the Aviva Stadium were fellow Academy hopefuls Ryan McLaughlin, Rafael Paez and Brad Smith - and now the native wants to capitalise on the boss' commitment to youth.
"You have seen what the manager does - he gives young lads a chance," Coady told Liverpoolfc.com. "Hopefully I can carry on working hard, carry on improving and we'll see what happens.
"You see that when the young lads go in, they do a great job. We've got some fantastic young players here. I just need to keep working and improving, and hopefully I can get that chance."
Reflecting on the opportunity to represent the club again, in Dublin, he continued: "It was fantastic. It's a wonderful ground and with that many supporters in the ground, you can't not like it.
"It was great for me. I've supported Liverpool since I was a boy, so to do it for the first team, no matter what game it is, is a fantastic experience. I loved every minute of it."
Coady clocked up no fewer than 50 appearances for United, having initially switched to the club on a six-month basis, and he returns to his parent team having felt significant benefits from the move.
"It has helped me massively as a player and a person," the one-time U21s captain explained.
"Coming back here, hopefully I can show what I learned from being on loan. The club was fantastic and I've got nothing but good things to say about Sheffield United."