Javier Manquillo admits playing alongside Steven Gerrard has left him having to pinch himself at times.

The Spanish defender was just four years old when Liverpool's captain made his debut first-team appearance against Blackburn Rovers in November 1998.

Manquillo has therefore grown up watching Gerrard lead the Reds to domestic and European glory over the course of his glittering career - and now he can't believe he's playing alongside him.

"The first time I watched Gerrard play, I was only a child," said the 20-year-old. "Now I play in the same team with him, he's a truly great player and it's a dream come true to share the field with him.

"I'm very happy to stay here. There's some things I miss about home - the weather is the main one! - but I'm getting accustomed to things here more and more every day."

Manquillo was snapped up on loan from Atletico Madrid earlier this summer and has made a promising start to his Anfield career, turning in two impressive displays against Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur.

The full-back feels Brendan Rodgers has been integral in ensuring he's settled seamlessly into life with the Reds, as well as his fellow Spanish-speaking teammates.

Manquillo added: "I get on very well with the manager here. He helps us with everything he can, which is great. He also speaks Spanish fluently too, so it's really easy for us to communicate.

"I have some fellow Spanish teammates with me over here too - Alberto Moreno, Suso and Jose Enrique are all here and there are some others in the squad who speak Spanish too, it's been really easy for me to adapt."