Chris Kirkland stands out as a giant among his team-mates, and at only 20 he already has a reputation to match his stature.
Finally last night the 6ft 5ins keeper was handed his big Anfield break. European nights are a test of nerve for even the most accomplished of performers. But for a youngster of Kirkland's inexperience it must have been the most daunting of prospects.
Thankfully for Liverpool their prodigy took the hype and pressure in his stride. Gerard Houllier splashed out £6million on the former Coventry star, but he arrived at Anfield with only 30 professional games behind him.
Even so, the talk was of Kirkland being England's long-term successor to David Seaman and Nigel Martyn. Not surprisingly the partisan Kop seemed much in agreement, taking just a few minutes to raise the chant: "England, England's No.1".
After seven months on the subs' bench Kirkland came in after Jerzy Dudek was ruled out by injury. And he rose to the occasion like veteran. The Turks gave Kirkland his first major test after seven minutes. Striker Umit Karan fired a well-placed volley to Kirkland's left post. The youngster produced a full-length diving save to turn the effort around the corner and you could almost see him swell with confidence.
Stand-in boss Phil Thompson and his bench kept an unusually close eye on the new boy. Not surprising, given that he is only been trusted with one appearance in a Worthington Cup tie before this vital Champions League clash.
Third-choice Pegguy Arphexad was dispatched at intervals to relay instructions. But Thompson need not have worried. Kirkland marshalled his defence like a true pro, even if his distribution was not as crisp and precise as it could have been.
Should Seaman, Martyn and David James be quaking in their boots? Not just yet. But it would help Kirkland's cause if he was given more of a chance to shine at Anfield and buildon his European debut.