Liverpool‘s young right-back Neco Williams has been thrust into the limelight of late amidst the club’s injury crisis as first choice Trent Alexander-Arnold is sidelined with a calf problem.
When James Milner also went down with a hamstring problem against Brighton, and with Joe Gomez a long-term absentee, Williams found himself as the only right-back left standing.
Undeterred by the challenge ahead of him, the 19-year-old Welshman started in the Reds 2-0 home defeat to Atalanta before playing 45 minutes in the 1-1 draw away to Brighton & Hove Albion, during which the teenager gave away a penalty.
It was following those two performances that Williams came in for criticism from some quarters and the pressure was perhaps beginning to grow.
However, the Wales international hit back on Tuesday night with a starring role in Jurgen Klopp’s side as they beat Ajax 1-0 to secure qualification from the group stages of the Champions League. Williams set up the only goal of the game with a sumptuous cross for Curtis Jones, in a fashion befitting of Alexander-Arnold.
In terms of his defensive work, three successful tackles and five duels won indicates a stellar all-round performance from the teenager.
That Williams is performing at such a level, perhaps with a little more inconsistency than most would like, should be applauded in itself. Still just a teenager, the Welsh defender has already made eight Premier League appearances and three in the Champions League, not to mention six full Wales caps in what remains a fledgling career.
Klopp spoke this week about the unfair nature of the comparisons which are made almost naturally when watching Williams deputise for Alexander-Arnold – who is one of the very best in the world in his position.
Liverpool’s Andy Roberson, himself a leading light in his left-back role told the club’s official website: ”Neco is a confident lad and the way he has played for Wales in the previous international breaks has been unbelievable and he shows promise and he shows glimpses of it. It’s just about him getting that complete performance. I believe it’s coming and I believe it’s close because he’s full of quality and he’s full of passion.”
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The Wales international is still making his way in his career and stepping into the considerable boots of a player like Alexander-Arnold cannot be easy, especially when representing such an illustrious club.
Instead of drawing criticism, his progression to date should be credited for what he has already achieved as, at this stage in his development, he isn’t intended to be as a regular starter as he is right now.
At just 19, the bulk of his football should still be for the Reds under-23s, in domestic cup action, and potentially substitute appearances for the first team. Instead, he is a go-to performer in big games – but given his performance against Ajax, he has proven he is already more than capable of holding his own at senior level.
Where the future lies for Williams is unknown – despite his obvious talent, the young full-back as a task on his hands to oust Alexander-Arnold long-term. However, some expect the Scouse 22-year-old to ultimately move into midfield, perhaps clearing the way for the Welshman to well and truly make the Liverpool right-back berth his own.
