Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool team was steeped in talent, and Neco Williams was one of those who shone when given the spotlight.
The Welsh right-back only made 31 appearances for the first team, but in those showings, he provided great pace and creativity going forward while also presenting great defensive awareness.
It was difficult for him to break into a starting position for Klopp’s side, given that the German had Trent Alexander-Arnold available for his whole tenure, who really had everything during his run in that squad.
Now the 24-year-old full-back has found himself thriving at Nottingham Forest since signing for them in 2022 for £17 million and proving that he is a valuable first-team asset to any Premier League club.
In his short time at Liverpool, Williams was able to learn from some of the best players available, sharing a dressing room with Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and others.
Neco Williams hails James Milner
A player who he credits with not just helping him, but also other youth players attempting to break into the first-team squad, was James Milner.
The 39-year-old joined the Reds in 2015 following a stint at Manchester City, and his introduction into the team helped beyond belief, with the Englishman being used in multiple positions and excelling in whatever task he was asked to complete.
READ MORE: What Jurgen Klopp said to Neco Williams in the tunnel after Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest
A calm and experienced influence on the side, Milner played his part in securing some of the most important wins for the club at that time and was a valued member of the team before leaving in 2023.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Williams spoke highly of the experienced player and credited him with being one of the biggest helps during his time spent on Merseyside.
He said: “James Milner, he was always the one helping the youngsters, gave me a lot of advice, helped me. Incredible professional.
“Yeah, he’s still going. The age he’s at, the games he’s played at. It’s not luck, it’s by professionalism.”
It is no surprise that, given the league experience of the Brighton and Hove Albion player who began his career as part of Leeds United as a youngster, he was prepared to impart his wisdom on those attempting to replicate what he has done.
Neco Williams says Liverpool’s first-team training was an ‘eye-opener’
It must be such an interesting experience for a player going from the youth ranks and making it into the first team of a club considered one of the best in world football at such a young age.
Some are not fortunate enough to make it, but Williams has proved that a move away from Anfield after acquiring the correct experience was the perfect move for his development as a player.
Those years under Klopp had a huge influence on the aspirations of the young player, as he revealed in the interview.
When asked about his time there, the Welshman praised the way the team was training and labelled them the ‘best in the world’.
“I think when I first broke into the team, they were probably the best team in the world at that time. They were getting to the Champions League finals. They were first and second in the Prem,” he said.
“I remember my first ever session with them. I was 17 and we just did little, small five-a-sides. I remember coming away from it and just thinking that I am miles away from where they are.
“Again the standards they set were just a real eye opener. I used to say to myself if I want to be playing in the Premier League, I’ve got to be like them.
“Not just on the pitch but off the pitch as well. The gym, the nutrition, the recovery, everything was just a real eye-opener.”
It was a shame at the time to see Williams leave the club, but he needed to be a starter at a club in the league because he was not going to be afforded the opportunity at Liverpool.
Hopefully, under the management of Ange Postecoglou at Forest, he can continue to show his great qualities and have an excellent career.
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