Brad Smith says he just wants to keep working hard and improving under Jürgen Klopp after notching his first goal for Liverpool in their 2-2 draw at Exeter City in the third round of the FA Cup on Friday night.

The 21-year-old almost left the club in the summer after contract talks stalled, but he penned a new deal in November and has kicked on ever since - making a memorable cameo off the bench in the Reds' 6-1 Capital One Cup win at Southampton last month.

Having started his first game in the Europa League and made his first Premier League appearance since December 2013 against West Ham United, Smith followed up his continuing rise with another start against Exeter.

And he rewarded his manager with a well-taken goal from inside the box to draw the two sides level a second time on the night to set up a replay with the Grecians at Anfield later this month. 

Full-back aiming for more minutes after recent substitute cameos

Speaking to Liverpoolfc.com after the full-time whistle, the Aussie defender explained that Klopp has been helping him "a lot" and said: "I really like him as a manager."

Smith revealed that the German has personally spoken to him and telling him "what he wants" from the left-back and "stuff like that."

The Australia international insisted that he is "just happy to be back" at Liverpool and "getting games and chances", adding that he is "happy to score against Exeter."

On what he's aiming for now he's broken his goalscoring duck, Smith said that he is targeting "staying around the squad, getting on the bench and getting a few more games" before adding "just keep getting football whenever I can, really."

He also stated that he's loving "working up at Melwood with the players and stuff", calling it "really good at the moment" and said it is "going well."

Smith confident Reds can win the replay and reach fourth round

Tom Nichols had opened the scoring at St James' Park, before Jerome Sinclair scored a maiden goal for the Reds to bring them level just three minutes later.

But Exeter retook the lead before half-time as Lee Holmes scored directly from a corner kick and it wasn't until the 73rd minute that Smith brought the visitors level a second time - converting from close-range after a failed clearance.

Smith added that it was "nice" to score his first goal but admitted he was disappointed at the fact they "could have got the win in the end.

However, he was pleased to take it "to the replay" and "take it to Anfield" where he hopes Liverpool can "hopefully show them how we can play there."