Harvey Elliott admits his Liverpool return brought a tear to his eye - as he set his sights on regaining a regular starting role in midfield.
Elliott made his first appearance since suffering a serious ankle injury at Leeds United in September when he was introduced shortly before the hour in the FA Cup fourth round clash with Cardiff City at Anfield on Sunday.
The 18-year-old went on to score his first goal for the Reds to help secure a 3-1 triumph and set up a last 16 home tie against struggling Norwich City.
And the midfielder believes he has emerged stronger for the experience of having overcome such a major setback early in his career.
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"It's a dream come true," said Elliott. "To come back from a horrible injury like that in quick time and to come here and score in front of the fans, I'm just buzzing. It hasn't really sunk in yet but I'm sure it will later.
"Stepping out on to the pitch when I came on, it did bring a little tear to my eye. It was a moment I'll remember and a moment that I can learn from in the future and look back on it and think 'If I can go through it at such a young age, I can go through anything'.
"I'm just happy to be back now, the injury is in the past and (I'm) moving on to the next game."
Elliott's landmark goal came in front of the Kop with 14 minutes remaining, the teenager controlling a cross from Andy Robertson with his left foot before striking a volley on the turn into the bottom corner.
"It all happened so quick, to be honest," he said. "I didn't really think about it. I swivelled, had a shot and it went in and I was off celebrating. It all happened so quick but I saw a little replay of the goal and I'm proud of it."
Elliott had broken into the first team before his injury having impressed Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp in a midfield role during pre-season.
But the youngster acknowledges it will not be easy to regain his position given the intense competition for places in the Reds' engine room.
"Obviously it's still going to take time to get back into the team," said Elliott.
"You can see, there's world-class players coming back, in terms of Thiago, there's players still out with Fabinho and we saw the likes of Curt, Hendo, Naby as well.
"There's always competition throughout the team, so to get in it, it's not easy.
"That's my aim at the end of the day. It's just down to me to take them and make sure I get in the team."
Elliott was brought on from the bench on Sunday alongside £49million new signing Luis Diaz, who marked his debut by assisting Takumi Minamino for Liverpool's second goal.
And of the Colombian winger, Elliott said to liverpoolfc.com: "You saw it against us, you could see that he's got exceptional talent.
"He's a top guy as well. We're all around him, supporting him and we're all there if he needs it.
"I'm sure he'll show what he's about. He showed glimpses.
"To come on next to him, it's a proud moment for myself as well because, in my opinion, he's a world-class player and he's only going to get better here playing for Liverpool, playing in front of these fans. I'm sure he'll go on and show the world what he's capable of doing."
