Liverpool prospect Harry Wilson has expressed his debt of gratitude to one of the Reds old foes Frank Lampard.
As the main rival to Anfield icon Steven Gerrard for the dominant role in the England midfield throughout most of the first decade of the 21st century, Lampard has had many on-the-pitch battles with Liverpool over the years.
Incredibly, Liverpool faced Chelsea in the Champions League over five consecutive seasons between 2004/05 and 2008/09 and Lampard started all 10 matches.
Now back at Stamford Bridge as manager, the 41-year-old is part of the chasing pack being left in Jurgen Klopp's side wake in the race for the Premier League title.
Wilson – on loan at Bournemouth this season – will be hoping to do the Reds a favour by leaving the Londoners even further off the pace this weekend when he travels to the capital with the Cherries.
The Welsh international will be eager to return to action having been forced to miss out Eddie Howe's side's previous fixture, a 3-0 home reversal to his parent club in which he was ineligible to play.
Wilson admits that Lampard – whom he played under while on loan at Derby County in the Championship last season – has been a major influence on his development and the pair remain close.
He told the Press Association: “I owe Frank Lampard a lot.
“He was fantastic for me last season, probably the most important one in my career so far, the one where I played regular football.
“To play under a legend like him, he taught me a lot. I'm in regular contact with him and it's great to see him doing so well at Chelsea now.”
Ahead of Liverpool's fixture at the Vitality Stadium last weekend, Klopp insisted that Wilson still has the potential to break into his first team squad when he returns to Anfield.
When asked if the 22-year-old can make it, the Reds boss said: “Of course he can. That’s why we loaned him, so he can make the steps.
“It would have been difficult for Harry and I would have loved to have had him here if we had another choice, especially when Shaq [ Xherdan Shaqiri ] was injured.
“You want to have these kinds of players but that is not the moment to decide.
“All the players we sent on loan have the chance to make it in the first team; otherwise we would have sold them.”
The expected January arrival of Takumi Minamino at Liverpool has left many fans wondering just how many opportunities Wilson might get though but for now the player himself insists he is refusing to look beyond the current campaign.
He said: “My focus is on Bournemouth this season and finishing as high in the Premier League as we can.”
