The Joeys regular started with Unanderra Hearts and stayed there for nine years.

But the three years since he left to join Sutherland Sharks have seen his career take off, winning the youth Premiership and minor Premiership and representing his country in Asia.

The performances of MacDonald, 17, earned a trial with Tottenham Hotspur and he went on to score twice for Sydney at the international youth tournament in Vietnam last October.

Now he hopes to impress when he hits Anfield this weekend and make up for the disappointment of being passed over by Spurs.

"Liverpool is a huge club and it's a really good opportunity," MacDonald told the club website. "I'm a little bit older now, a little bit more mature.

"I guess it's up to the player when they feel ready. They might get the opportunity now and if they turn it down they might never get it again."

He paid tribute to head coach Frank Farina for boosting his self-belief ahead of his trial by giving him a break in the first team squad.

"I was learning a lot in the youth team but the first team is another level and you learn even more up there," said MacDonald.

"He's talking to me about giving me a spot on the bench and he's just given me a lot of advice. It makes you feel better. It makes you feel more confident."