That 15-minute appearance for the second half of extra-time in a shock 4-2 penalty shoot-out defeat to Northampton Town at Anfield was to be the Watford midfielder’s sole appearance for the Reds.
Tom Ince in action for England Under-21s in 2012 _(Image: Action Images)_
But it was also the first senior game of a career that has seen Ince make more than 500 appearances in all competitions, play for 12 different clubs as a permanent or loan signing and feature 19 times for England Under-21s.
Now into his 15th season since his debut, the 33-year-old may be entering the latter stages of his playing days but he still believes he has plenty to offer and prove the doubters wrong.
“The hunger and desire to play and to show people that I’m still capable of doing what I did ten years ago,” Ince replied when asked what motivates him when he spoke to the _Watford Observer_ on Friday. “I think there’s a lot of people who doubt.
“I feel now football is so youth orientated which I think is great. Football has changed from what it was, but I see a lot of players of my age, and I’ve got friends who played in my era, who struggle to get clubs.
“The most important thing for me in a dressing room is having the character and experience and a togetherness.
“Experience brings that, experience brings people to understand that it’s not all about going out on a pitch and playing football. There’s other sides to the game that young players won’t have experienced yet.
“For me it’s a case of offering my experience but at the same time understanding that, yes, I might be 33 but I can still offer something big and that’s what motivates me.
“The moment I knew I couldn’t give I’d be the first one to hold my hands up and say it, but the fact I still feel good, still feel fresh, still move relatively similar to how I did ten years ago, maybe the pace has gone a little bit, but the brain and the feet are still there.
“While that’s still working for me and I know I can produce then I’ll continue to work hard and give everything I can.”
Tom Ince has featured in all six games for Watford under Javi Gracia _(Image: Alan Cozzi/Watford FC)_
Asked if there was anything he would still like to achieve in the game, Ince smiled: “Promotion would be nice.
“You always have these dreams that are still there and promotion would be nice and to maybe get a crack in the Premier League, even if it’s just for one year.
“If it happens, if it happens, if it doesn’t then I can look back and say I’ve given it my best.
“I’ve done well out of the game, I’ve got a house up north which is my base, so my life is pretty much where I want it to be.
“Now it’s just a case of little bonuses and then after it I’m looking into management and that is a fresh start. It’s a whole new journey, it’s a whole new challenge.”
Ince has yet to find the back of the net in his seven Championship appearances for the Hornets this season but his next goal in the league will be particularly significant.
“I’m one goal off 100 in the Championship so I need to get that relatively quickly and that will be a nice milestone for me,” he said.
“When the dust settles and you look back over 500 games, I played in the Premier League, played in the Championship, I can’t be too disappointed.
“You always want to achieve more, you always look back and did certain decisions go the way I wanted them to go, did I make the right choice, but primarily you have to look at it say not many players are able to make a career out of the game and at a relatively good level.
“It’s about being proud of what I’ve achieved and there’s still more to come.”