Neco Williams put in yet another brilliant performance on Tuesday and it opens questions about the position of Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Williams was outstanding at right-back, as he has been virtually every time he’s played for the senior side. His ball retention is fantastic at full-back and he can cross a ball, too.
He’s got one problem, really. The right-back in the first-team is young and outstanding. How does a teenager overcome that and make his mark?
On top of that, how do Liverpool make the most of two very talented young players in the same position?
After all, it’s not as though Williams can just wait it out. Alexander-Arnold won’t start cooling down for a long time to come.
Extra versatility
Instead, the answer may be in opening the door for Alexander-Arnold to change position. Not permanently or even as his main role, we should say. But to the possibility of using him in midfield.
Jurgen Klopp likes his versatile players. Think Mohamed Salah playing as a winger and a striker, Jordan Henderson covering the midfield roles, or James Milner playing absolutely everywhere.
He doesn’t have that versatility with the full-backs, though. Both solely play in their primary roles and never move. A lot of that is down to there being no real cover for either of them.
Alternative players only fill those roles out of necessity. Joe Gomez and Milner, for instance, only play there when players are injured or in need of a rest. Having someone like Williams changes that, however.
Williams looks fully capable of not only playing right-back but playing in the Liverpool style. That’s perfect and makes him a player they’d usually pay a fortune for.
And if he can do that, then the opportunity to try Alexander-Arnold in midfield is there. Even if it’s just to open up a team in a different way, or to rotate as the usual midfield isn’t available.
People have talked about it before but Williams looks like the one to finally unlock Alexander-Arnold in another position.
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