Ian Mellor, a former Manchester City player, believes his son must continue to work hard if he is to claim a permanent place in the Liverpool side.
He said: "I've already told Neil, 'Okay, you've scored a goal and played a couple of games, but you have done nothing yet."
"You have got to do it week-in, week-out, season after season, before you can become a real player.
"He's very much aware that he's achieved nothing yet and he knows he has got a long way to go.
"But the good thing about Neil is that he does listen, and besides listening to me he does listen to the coaches at Liverpool that he respects as well."
