Sven Botman has revealed he asked for a sit down with Eddie Howe after finding himself on the bench in Newcastle United's season opener against Nottingham Forest.
The Holland Under-21 star arrived in a £34million deal from Lille this summer and had to wait for an injury to Matt Targett before getting his first start away to Brighton & Hove Albion. Botman has now started to forge an understanding with Fabian Schar while Dan Burn has played at left-back in Targett's absence.
Botman had a good game against Wolves in the 1-1 draw but with Targett fit again it remains to be seen how Newcastle's defence shapes up at Anfield tonight.
When asked about starting the season on the bench, Botman told Chronicle Live: "I spoke with the gaffer about it. He had his reasons and I had to accept it.
"And in the end, everything happens for a reason. At the moment I am happy and I am playing. So I hope it will continue like this and I will try to help the team as much as possible."
Botman is learning on the job in some ways after tasting the Premier League for the first time. For all his experience in Holland and France, the Premier League is a different proposition entirely.
Botman reflected: "It's a new league and the intensity is really high here, so I can understand every new player that comes here goes through it. Of course, you watch it on television but in real life it's different. I say what I said when I first came here, I came to play in the Premier League and play for Newcastle.
"I really like it and I hope many more will come."
When asked if playing away to Liverpool this evening will be a dream come true, Botman said: "You could say that. I have played Champions League of course, but you want to play against the big teams.
"Every game is a big challenge for everybody. Wolves away was also difficult. Newcastle is trying to grow as a club dominating everybody and it will take time. But we are in a good way.
"It will be difficult to dominate teams in the Premier League because it's the strongest league in the world.
"Every game we play is a big test. Man City of course and now Liverpool, it will be a hard game, we will do our best and try to get some points there."
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