Nathaniel Phillips expressed his delight after being told he had been named Liverpool man of the match by Jamie Carragher on his Premier League debut.
Phillips was handed his first league appearance for the Reds in Saturday night's Premier League showdown with West Ham United.
The 23-year-old, who spent last season on loan at Bundesliga II outfit Stuttgart, lined up alongside Joe Gomez in central defence in the absence of Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip and Fabinho.
And he helped Jurgen Klopp's men come from behind to claim a 2-1 victory over the Hammers at Anfield.
Reflecting on his first taste of Premier League football, Phillips told Sky Sports: "It's massive. It's something that I dreamed of growing up and, obviously, to have that opportunity tonight was huge for me and huge for my family.
"So I'm really happy to have done so, and even more so to get a good result."
Asked when he found out he would be playing, Phillips revealed: "It was Thursday, training, the gaffer mentioned it to me.
"He said as long as nothing happens before Saturday, you'll be playing. So, I just knew I had to make sure I get myself fit.
"But obviously the last few weeks, I've kind of known that was a possibility coming up, what with the injuries we've had.
"So I've just made sure I stay prepared in case the opportunity did come."
Once he shook off a few nerves, Phillips grew into the game - and suggested West Ham may have played into his hands somewhat.
"I think it was important for me just to do the basics, really, just to settle any nerves that I might have, and not complicate things too much," he said.
"Then, as the minutes go on, you start settling into the game and I really enjoyed it.
"It was a tough battle - a lot of aerial battles, but I'd say that's probably one of my strengths, so I enjoyed that side of it.
"But like I said, most importantly, we got the good result."
On the prospect of more chances to come, Phillips said: "Possibly. I've just been concentrating on this weekend up until now - but obviously if the opportunity does arise again, I've just got to make sure that I'm ready for that."
And responding to the revelation that former Liverpool star Carragher had named his man of the match, Phillips said: "Obviously, that's a huge compliment, especially coming from him, a Liverpool legend.
"So I'm really happy to have heard that and thank you, Jamie."
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