'I lost my shirt on a dream debut'

It has been a dream week for me.

I made my first-team debut for Liverpool in the pre-season friendly against Valerenga and I still can't quite believe it.

I never could have imagined such a moment when I was growing up as a kid in Africa so when the manager, Kenny Dalglish called me over I was determined to make the most of it.

I was only on the pitch for a minute or so but I made sure I took everything in and made every last second count.

I'd been training very hard with the reserves in the week leading up to it and was looking forward to our game against Birmingham City.

Then it all changed when Rodolfo Borrell called me and told me I was going away with them.

It meant I played just 45 minutes of that second-string match and had a day off before travelling with the first-team to Norway.

The whole experience was fantastic and I just want to keep working hard now so that I can prove to the manager that one day I can be good enough to be a part of Liverpool's exciting future.

I remember sitting on the bench and looking around at all of the Norwegian fans. They clearly love the club and it really hit home how huge Liverpool are and how privileged we are to be here representing them.

It would have been easy to have got carried away with it but I knew I had to keep focused on the game in case I was needed at any point.

As the clash entered the final moments I didn't expect to get on, but then the manager called me over.

My heart was racing and it was incredible to actually set foot on the pitch and take my place out there.

It was even better that I went and partnered Jamie Carragher. He has helped me so much whenever I have been lucky enough to go and train at Melwood.

He is just a fantastic guy. On the bus on the way to the airport he came over to me and shook my hand. He said well done for making your first-team debut and asked me if I had taken my shirt with me.

I told him I didn't because I had gone back out onto the pitch to do a warm down and when I got back into the dressing room it had been picked up.

He told me I need to make sure I get it back and said he would help me! I haven't got it yet but I'll do my best to find it again. It's something I will treasure.

Carra is definitely someone to look up to and aspire to be like. He has been such an incredible defender for this club and I want to follow his example and one day get a chance to give everything for this team.

I'm under no illusions though. I knew I would be back with my reserve teammates at the Academy for the rest of this week and I'm just grateful to have had such an opportunity.

On Thursday we played a 60 minute friendly match against Accrington Stanley's first-team and it was a great experience for all of us. We drew 0-0 against a side that were physically much stronger than us and myself and Andre (Wisdom) were really pleased that we helped keep a clean sheet.

We've got a really exciting season ahead now. We've got one last friendly when we entertain Manchester City next week before we play our first ever game in the NextGen Series.

Sporting Lisbon have a great reputation for developing young players and the match is also at Anfield so it is one to look forward to.

Having said that I don't really like to pick out games. I try to treat every single encounter the same. That is the way to give 100 per cent every time you pull on the shirt. Every game excites me and that is how it should be for a footballer.

I just want to keep improving now and it is a great help that I will continue my education under Rodolfo Borrell. He is almost like family to me because when I arrived here he helped me develop both on and off the pitch.

I thought I was a good player but Rodolfo showed me how much I need to step up and he is helping me to do that with each passing training session.

I'm so glad he is my coach and hope that he will progress into the first-team set-up at one point in the future too.

I signed a new contract to stay here earlier this year and I am so happy. I feel at home here now and don't miss Germany so much.

I'm here to stay and will keep working hard and listen to all of the advice of the staff so that one day in the future I might get the chance to be involved with the first-team again.

Stephen was speaking to Paul Hassall