Luke O’Nien made his long-awaited Premier League debut for Sunderland against Liverpool on Wednesday evening.

Sunderland stalwart Luke O’Nien has delivered an emotional assessment of his long-awaited Premier League debut against Liverpool on Wednesday evening.

The 31-year-old came off the bench as a makeshift left winger in the latter stages of the 1-1 draw at Anfield, helping his side to see out a contest that they quite easily could have won on another night.

For O’Nien, the cameo made for the latest milestone in a remarkable ascension through the footballing pyramid, and following his injury in last season’s Championship play-off final, represented the popular defender’s first senior outing of the campaign for a side who he has ably served since the doldrums of their League One stint.

What did Sunderland star Luke O’Nien say after Premier League debut vs Liverpool?

And in a post-match interview with the club’s in-house media team, O’Nien tried to put into words just how delighted he was to finally realise his dream of playing in the Premier League.

He said: “I just got off FaceTime with my wife and my sister, so a little bit emotional just seeing them, and my wife said my kids are up and they were jumping up and down when I came on. So yeah, listen, it's very special. I just said to the boys, I couldn't be prouder of the group we have.

“We've been with Dan Neil and Patto [Anthony Patterson], and the journey this club's been on and then seeing just the quality that have come in, but not just the quality, the human beings and the way they've gone about climbing this Premier League table has been special and to be a part of it, to come this far, this incredible club with the fan base, I think for the first time in my Sunderland career, I'm lost for words.”

On the unorthodox role Regis Le Bris handed him on Merseyside, he continued: “I didn't have myself down for making my Premier League debut as a left winger... So listen, I actually don't know what to say. I'm just a bit emotional, very, very happy and yeah, just a big thank you to the gaffer for this opportunity with this staff, this team, this fan base and this club. It's very special for me and it's a moment I'll remember for the rest of my life.

“I said to the boys at the end, I thought they deserved the three points. I thought they were incredible, the way they battled, the way they fought. I thought they limited them to very few, if not many chances at all. And I really thought the boys deserved three points. So it's a big step in the right direction for this club. They've built every single week. The club's got better and better, and yeah, wow... I’m trying not to cry. Honestly, I'm so proud for this team, this club, and this city. It's a very special day.”

Reflecting on his long-term rehabilitation process, O’Nien added: “I'm dead grateful for the physios, for working with me and the people that I saw to help me get back. I've just looked at my phone and I've got a message from my non-league manager, Gordon Bartlett. I was playing non-league about 13 years ago. So yeah, this club's come a hell of a long way from League One all the way back to the Premier League. It's been a lot of work. There's a lot of people behind the scenes putting in a lot of good work, and it's just incredible to see. I'm not surprised by seeing how much work goes on behind the scenes. It's nice that the fans are getting all this, but there's a lot of work from people that not everyone sees. And I'm just very proud of everybody.”

“My mum and dad were in the crowd today and I just wanted to go off and give them a hug - and I'm going to do that straight after this interview. And them too, my brother and my sister, my wife and her family, the kids, especially my mum and dad, I just wouldn't be here without them. And seeing my mum jump up and down, I think she was slightly happier than me. So I'm just really appreciative of them.

“I've still got a lot of focus. I'm well aware you don't just make one appearance and call yourself a Premier League player. I've still got a lot of work to do.I'm very focused on building and supporting this team the best way possible.

The Echo has launched a new WhatsApp SAFC Channel to bring the latest news, analysis and team & injury updates direct to your phone. Simply click this link to join our SAFC WhatsApp channel.

“And yeah, listen, last season, I think, you know, you take different roles depending on injuries and how the team's gone. The team's so strong, I'm proud to be on the bench - I really want to get on, but the team's so good. And listen, last season, the most important part of promotion last season was Simon Moore and he played four games. So Moore was my mentor this season. I'm like, if I can be somewhat like him and help the team like he did to get us all promoted... if that's my role, that's my role.

“And I'll keep pushing the people that are starting, you know, [Dan] Ballard, Lutsha [Geertruida], Omar [Alderete] - I could go through all of them. They've just been sensational. Some of them have been some of the best players in the Premier League, from Trai [Hume] to Rei [Reinildo]. I could go through the whole team list. I'm just naming the whole 11. Like, every single one of them, the way they've all worked, the way they've been patient, the respect that the players show each other when teams are playing and we're on the sideline pushing each other... It's the environment we wanted to create. We've created it.

“It's taken a long time from being in League One and we've just chipped away at it, and I'm so happy to see the club in a nice place. But listen, we've still got way more work to do. I'm now setting my sights on a lot more appearances and learning from the players that are in, and maybe when I get to 50 Premier League appearances, maybe I might then say I'm a Premier League player. But to get the first one, I'm very, very proud.

“I'm grateful to you guys and to everybody. Keep it together. Don't cry. So yeah, I'm going to go see my mum and dad now, I think.”

Your next Sunderland read: Régis Le Bris delivers verdict on Wilson Isidor's late miss as Sunderland draw at Liverpool