Former Liverpool defender Neco Williams has had his season cut short after suffering a nasty looking injury.
The 22-year-old was back on Merseyside last week, fittingly scoring his first Premier League goal at the Anfield Road end. Even though it was against the club he came through the ranks at, there was still some poetry to his goal for Nottingham Forest last weekend.
Jurgen Klopp certainly thought so, with the Reds boss spotted joking with Williams after the full-time whistle. But now, as per Neco’s latest Instagram post, he’ll play no further part in Forest’s bid to stave off relegation.
“Absolutely buzzing the lads got the win yesterday but at the same time I am gutted to say my seasons over for sustaining a broken jaw,” he wrote. “I will do everything I can to help my teammates bring home those points every game.”
Hearteningly, there were a couple of messages in the comments from those of a Liverpool persuasion. Both Rhys Williams and Conor Bradley spent time with Neco in the Reds academy, and both left their wishes. “Back soon brother,” wrote Williams, with Bradley adding “Speedy recovery bro.” Get well soon, Neco!
Williams season comes to an end
Williams’ move away from Liverpool last summer should probably still be looked at as a case of everybody winning. The Reds got a decent fee, Forest got a good young player and the Welshman got first-team Premier League football.
With Trent Alexander-Arnold struggling earlier in the season some may have been decrying the decision to sell Williams. But in reality he hasn’t exactly torn up any trees in Nottingham.
He’s done okay, only missing two league games for Forest all season. But he’s been in and out of the starting XI and perhaps doesn’t have a long-term future in the top division.
As a result, Liverpool’s decision to cash in on him last year now looks like a decent call.
Besides, with Bradley haring through in his place, perhaps the Reds now have an even better prospect. It’s hard to shake the feeling that the Northern Irishman’s Liverpool career will go the same way as Williams’ eventually. But for now he appears to be in Jurgen Klopp’s plans.
As for Neco, he can look back on a decent first full season as a senior pro. If Forest stay up he’ll look to push on again next season. For now though, he’s going to have to cheer on their survival attempt from the side lines.