TYLER French reckons rubbing shoulders with footballing heroes Liverpool has given him a major growth spurt as a pro.

City’s rookie centre half admits he is still pinching himself after sharing the same pitch as the club he has grown up supporting.

The non-league talent views Sunday’s “surreal” experience as another valuable lesson in his Valley Parade education.

French said: “I’m a Liverpool supporter so I watched every single game they played in the Champions League last season.

“(Divock) Origi scored in the final and now I’m playing up against him. It’s taking a while for that to process in my head.

“The experience was incredible and you can take so much from this.

“Words can’t describe the feeling. It was a bit surreal.

“But it’s been like that since I got here. It’s been great.”

Read more: How French bounced back from rejection

French, plucked from AFC Sudbury for a fee thought to be around £10,000, played the second half as both sides switched line-ups. He was part of the City defence that kept a clean sheet after the break.

“The manager just told me to be confident and be myself,” he added. “We had a game plan and stuck to it and I thought it worked really well.

“There was good communication and it paid off.

“When you get the ball, Liverpool are like a pack of bees. They swarm straight on you.

“But playing in a game that big gives me confidence. It’s easily the biggest crowd I’ve ever played in front of and hearing people cheer when you do something gives you a terrific boost.”

French had trials with several league clubs last season as he prepared to make the jump to the full-time game. But he admits the intensity of his first pre-season with City has been a challenge.

He said: “I’ve done little bits when I’ve been on trial. But this is my first proper pre-season and I’ve probably done more in a couple of weeks than I ever have in my career.

"But I feel so much better for it. Normally I’m not a morning person but now I can’t wait to get up and go training and do what I love.

“When you start playing the games, you ease into it and people get a feel of what you’re like. The settling-in period becomes a lot easier and it makes you feel part of the club.

“It’s getting closer to the start now and every pre-season game is important. Next week against Wigan will be another tough one but hopefully it will go as well.”

French, who was supported by family and friends at the Liverpool game, has only one regret – missing out on a selfie with Jurgen Klopp.

“Unfortunately I didn’t get to meet him. I really wish I had.”

City are in action again tonight at Eccleshill, where they are expected to field a team similar to last week against Brighouse.