Liverpool youngster given 'crazy' Fernando Torres moment and unexpected Milan chance eyes latest step

Matters didn't exactly go according to plan for James Norris when the Liverpool youngster travelled to AC Milan in December hoping to help keep alive hopes of UEFA Youth League qualification.

Not that the 18-year-old from West Derby minded too much, though.

Rather than line up at the Centro Sportivo Vismara for the under-19s, Norris instead found himself warming up on the San Siro touchline after being elevated to the first team for their final Champions League group match.

"It was a great experience," he admits. "Me and Max (Woltman) travelled with the 19s expecting to play in that game and when we got off the plane, Barry (Lewtas, the U23s coach) said to us 'you're going with the first team'. He told us just to enjoy it and set a good example.

"We got in the hotel and met up with the first team, then a few hours before the game realised we were on the bench.

"It was crazy. We weren't scared of it, it was more exciting than anything."

Norris made his Anfield debut a few weeks later in the FA Cup third round tie with Shrewsbury Town, brought on just moments before Fabinho scored Liverpool's final goal in a 4-1 triumph.

"Even if it was just for one or two minutes it was great to get out there in front of the fans," he says. "It was a great experience all round. I came on and 30 seconds later there was a goal!

"The good thing about Liverpool's first team is you'll get chances to go and train with them so you're not a stranger to them.

"People like Sadio Mane, Andy Robertson and James Milner are great for helping you settle in and get to know other people.

"Sadio is great with the young lads, he'll always spend five or 10 minutes out of his day to see how you are doing."

Norris soaked in the San Siro atmosphere and