Luke O’Nien made his first appearance of the season at Anfield on Wednesday night

Régis Le Bris says Luke O’Nien’s Premier League debut was deserved for his efforts behind the scenes this season.

O’Nien has had to be patient in waiting for his opportunity after suffering a dislocated shoulder in the early stages of the play-off final win over Sheffield United, but was introduced as a late substitute as Sunderland secured a 1-0 draw with Liverpool at Anfield.

O’Nien was deployed as an emergency left winger to give the Black Cats an extra defensive presence against Mo Salah, and Le Bris praised his attitude over recent weeks and months.

“Yes, well deserved,” Le Bris said.

“It was important to protect this side at the end. So rather than using an offensive player, we decided to go with a defensive profile. I think Luke is impressive. He could play as a right winger, centre-back or left winger, he's always committed.

“He's the club captain, first of all. Always really well connected with the players and the team. His standards are really high. Every day he wants to learn. He wants to show that he's part of the project. Even when you are a sub, you have to wait and sometimes you can get frustrated. But so far he was always positive and I think he deserved this opportunity today.”

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Luke O’Nien’s emotional social media message after making Premier League debut for Sunderland

"Last night, one of my dreams came true," O'Nien said.

"For years, I’ve dreamed about playing in the Premier League. Some people laughed at me. Some coaches I had when I was little said I’d never make it. Lots of people told me I wasn’t good enough and to give up. But I’ve always held onto that dream of playing at the highest level. Deep down I believed that if I just kept working, kept learning, kept showing up every single day, then one day it might happen.

"Last night, that dream that 4 year old me had….came true. And if you’d told me I’d make my debut at left wing, up against my mate Mo Salah, I’d have laughed as well. From non league in 2014, to being released by Watford in 2015… there were moments where it felt like this day might never come.

"Sunderland, you’ve been my home for seven years. I never knew I could fall in love with a club, a city, and its people the way I have. You’ve given me space to grow, to fail, to learn, and to find out who I am as a player and a person. To play even a small part in rebuilding this beautiful club and helping it climb back to where it belongs is something I’ll always be proud of.

"Making my Premier League debut… I’m incredibly grateful. Taking a moment afterwards to stand with my mum and dad and breathe it all in… that was special.

"But that debut chapter is written now. The focus is on pushing on, improving, growing, and helping drive this club forward with this unbelievable group of players. Seven years ago we were in League One. Fast forward to last night and we have a team giving everything, disappointed to only get one point against the Premier League champions. If that’s not a moment to stop, reflect, and feel proud, I don’t know what is.

"Thank you to everyone who’s been part of this journey; my family, my friends, the staff, the supporters, and my teammates. It’s just the beginning."

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