Leighton Clarkson insists Liverpool's Academy youngsters won't get carried away by their impressive FA Cup win over Shrewsbury Town.

After making his senior Reds debut as a substitute during the Carabao Cup quarter-final against Aston Villa in December, 18-year-old Clarkson was handed a first start in the fourth-round replay at Anfield.

And he was an influential performer in the centre of the pitch as Neil Critchley guided the club's youngest ever XI to a memorable 1-0 victory that set up a trip to Chelsea in the next stage.

Shortly after the game, Clarkson gave Liverpoolfc.com his thoughts on an unforgettable night for all involved...

On the match, his first Liverpool start and celebrating in front of the Kop at full-time...

It doesn't get much better than that. It was a proud moment for me and my family. It was nice to see so many of my family there to come and watch us win. It's something we will never forget. I just had goose bumps the whole time You'll Never Walk Alone was on, looking around the stadium seeing everyone singing and seeing my family singing it as well - it was just a moment I will never forget. It was just unbelievable. You just looked around and saw all the people that came and supported us. They knew we were going to be an U23s team yet we still sold out, which means they are looking to see what youngsters are coming through. I'm just glad we got the win for everyone and it was a special night.

On playing alongside debutant Jake Cain after the pair started the season with the U18s…

It's not just in the U18s we have been playing together, it's from when we were seven. I've been close mates with Jake right through the years and then to make our debuts together in midfield was unbelievable.

On whether there were any nerves in the dressing room before the game…

To be fair, I don't think there were that many people [who were] nervous because a lot of them have already had that experience and Critch was saying things that calmed us down. James Milner was in the dressing room and spoke to us and told us there was nothing to worry about. When you come out onto the pitch it's like you are nervous but you just want to get going, and then when you get your first touch then it's just normal.

On Milner's presence helping the younger players…

That's the type of person he is. Obviously he has had a lot of experience in the game and enjoyed a great career. He has got the experience and knows what to say at the right times, so for him to be there and tell us all these things before the game was brilliant. After the game he was celebrating more than most of us! That's just how he is and he was a massive help.

On the guidance of Pedro Chirivella to lend a helping hand in midfield…

Pedro is an absolutely fantastic player. He was the oldest player in our team against Shrewsbury and he is only 22! He has been at Melwood during a lot of his time at Liverpool so he has learned from the best. With his communication on the pitch and his leadership, it's very good to have next to you, especially for me and Jake as we were quite nervous, but with him behind us he was phenomenal.

On the close bond between the players…

As we said in the changing room before the game, everyone had to stick together right until the end and we all believed we could win. At half-time that's what we said, with the crowd behind us we felt we would be able to sneak a goal and that's exactly what happened - and everyone was buzzing afterwards.

On why there's no danger of the players getting carried away after beating Shrewsbury…

The coaches wouldn't allow us to do that. Everyone was absolutely buzzing and we had the day off after the game but we were back in training the following day and training on a very high level again to get ready for the next game. As a player you want to be playing in big games and as many competitions as you can. We have got Wolfsburg to look forward to in the Premier League International Cup quarter-final and the UEFA Youth League last-16 tie, which is an exciting time for everyone. We can't wait to see who we get in that.