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Rossiter: My feet are firmly on the ground

Even if Jordan Rossiter contemplated getting caught up in the hype that accompanied his Liverpool debut, the people who surround the young Scouser on a daily basis would never allow it to happen.

The humble, hard-working midfielder, who hit the headlines with a 35-yard drive on his first start for the club, became the second-youngest scorer in Reds history when he netted against Middlesbrough in September.

Long after he departed the field in the 79th minute to a standing ovation, Rossiter was able to celebrate with his teammates when the Capital One Cup tie was eventually settled by a nail-biting penalty shootout.

However, his presence was required bright and early the following day at the club's Academy - and so celebrations were kept to a minimum as Rossiter managed an early night despite the roar of the Kop ringing in his ears.

The days and weeks that followed brought more and more attention from autograph-hunters and passers-by; however, a quick flurry of 'stick' from friends and teammates put paid to any chance of him thriving in the spotlight.

"After the game I just went straight home and went to bed," he told the Liverpool Echo. "It was getting late and I was back at the Academy training the following morning. There was no time to bask in it and I think it's better that way.

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"I didn't even watch the game back until three or four days after. All the staff at the Academy were made up for me. I also got loads of texts off former coaches who have helped me along the way.

"Getting my debut hasn't really changed anything. That's a good thing as I just want to carry on the same way I'm going. Getting stick off the lads when I get recognised helps keep my feet on the floor. I'm still doing the same work day-to-day."

It took the local lad 10 minutes to make his mark at Anfield. Rickie Lambert, who donned the captain's armband for the clash against Boro, was denied twice in quick succession before a chance broke for Rossiter.

Unfazed, the midfielder smashed the ball hard and low, steering through a cluster of opposition players and into the net before racing away across the floodlit turf with sheer joy etched across his features.

"I look back now and think it couldn't have gone any better to be honest," reflected Rossiter. "To score 10 minutes into my debut at Anfield was such a great feeling. It really was a dream come true.

"When the ball dropped to me I thought, 'you've got to hit it, just get it on target' and thankfully it went in. It's something I'll always look back on, no matter what happens for the rest of my life."

Steven Gerrard did not feature in the cup tie, nor was he amongst the substitutes, but the iconic skipper watched with delight as Rossiter grabbed his opportunity with both hands, before sending a congratulatory message via Instagram.

Jamie Carragher posted the above after Rossiter's maiden strike; however, long before Carra or Gerrard had taken to social media to laud the young Scouser, another local legend had already predicted big things from Rossiter via Twitter.

Robbie Fowler watched the Reds' 4-1 NextGen victory over Inter Milan in 2013 and singled out the starlet for high praise - but Rossiter insists he's never allowed himself to get carried away by such applause from his heroes.

"It was great to hear that from such a legend as Robbie and a big compliment," he said. "But I know myself that if I go on to have half or even just a bit of the career Stevie's had, I'll have had a great career in football.

"I'm a local lad and being a Scouser it means more to me to make it to the first team. But I know not to get carried away with it. There are lots of other good players here.

"Just because I'm a Scouser doesn't give me a free pass to the first team. If I am going to establish myself then I'm going to have to earn it.

"Steven Gerrard is a brilliant role model for me. He always talks me through sessions. Even just watching him helps me loads. That's what I aspire to be in the future."

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