For all of Liverpool's youngsters making their first-team debut at Villa Park last week, it was a dream come true.
Take Tom Hill, for example: a Formby native who has been at the club since pre-Academy level at the age of five.
A first-year scholar with the U18s, Hill has already made his U23s bow, netted in the UEFA Youth League and struck seven goals so far this season.
An attacking midfielder whose timely runs into the box have caught the eye, Hill only turned 17 in October. He has also shown his versatility this term by playing at right-back and as a central striker.