Rhys Williams admits the last few weeks have surpassed expectations as he vowed to become an "irreplaceable" part of the Liverpool team.
Williams impressed on his full Champions League debut by helping the Reds keep a clean sheet in their 5-0 romp against Atalanta in Italy on Tuesday.
The 19-year-old, who spent last season on loan at non-League Kidderminster Harriers, has benefited from the Reds ' defensive injury crisis having made his senior bow in the Carabao Cup at Lincoln City in September.
Williams also started in the next round against Arsenal, made a late cameo in the Champions League win at Ajax and replaced Fabinho for the final hour of last week's triumph over FC Midtjylland.
And of his appearance at Atalanta, he said: "Well, I was hoping for an opportunity but I wasn’t hoping for it as good as this!
"It doesn’t get much better than a 5-0 away win to Atalanta, so I’m over the moon really.
"I’m happy the boss trusts me and I’m going to keep repaying his faith with performances and nights like this, so hopefully I keep getting an opportunity and keep doing everyone proud.
"I want to become an irreplaceable piece of this side. It's a great team with great players.
"I know it’s going to be hard but I’m willing to put the effort in, keep working and hopefully keep putting in performances when I get the chance."
Williams revealed he struggled to relax after being told he would line up alongside Joe Gomez against Atalanta, but believes he proved he could handle the occasion against the Serie A side.
"I’d say (Tuesday) I found out, that certified it," he said to liverpoolfc.com. "So I was just trying to get myself into the zone all day and thankfully I’ve done that and it’s paid off.
"I tried to go asleep when we had a few hours before the game and it just wasn’t happening for me, so I just tried to chill out and watch a few films.
"I was always going to be a bit nervous but I thought I dealt with it quite well."
