The England international is a source of inspiration at Anfield for the adolescent, who’s seeking to establish himself in the senior group.
Neco Williams has opened up on his aspirations to follow Trent Alexander-Arnold’s footsteps at Liverpool, describing a fellow defender as”among the greatest full-backs on earth”.
Williams was handed his first-team debut for the Reds back in October, after spending the previous ten years rising through the youth ranks at Melwood.
He left his Anfield bow in a thrilling penalty shootout victory over Arsenal at the Carabao Cup and has featured in four more cup fittings since then, most notably providing the help of the sole objective of the match at Liverpool’s fourth-round FA Cup replay victory over Shrewsbury.
In the age of just 18, it’s not likely that Williams is going to be given a regular place in Jurgen Klopp’s starting XI just yet, especially with Alexander-Arnold currently occupying his place in right-back.
Alexander-Arnold was one of Liverpool’s most consistent performers during their run to Champions League glory this past year, and the 21-year-old has built on that platform to assist the team push for a first league title in 30 years.
Williams sees the England global’s rise to prominence as evidence that”anything is possible with hard work”, and has confessed to analyzing an Anfield colleague in an attempt to increase his all-round game.
“It’s just kind of an eye-opener to prove to people that anything is possible with hard work and dedication,” Williams told Liverpool’s official site .
“Trent was in the Academy from a young age and he has gone up through the ranks. Now he’s obviously among the best right-backs on earth and he is playing unbelievably.
“So I think for all the Academy, it does not matter what position, it is only an eye-opener to prove to people it is possible.
“When I am training clearly I’m trying to concentrate on myself and my own game but at the exact same time, I am watching Trent and attempting to study how he performs and try to take pieces and parts of what he does in my game.
“I think that is what I have been doing since I have been going up there [Melwood]. That is certainly improving me as a participant.”
When asked if he ever imagined being a part of the senior team in this stage of his career, Williams responded: “No, not at all. But of course, with hard work and dedication, it can occur.
“I am just taking it day by day, just grasping it all in. It’s incredible training and being with one of the greatest teams in the world.
“To train together daily, gaining expertise is advancing me as a participant. I am just growing in confidence every time I train together.
“It’s still a little surreal. Like when you go in training and see the players, you kind of pinch yourself and be like, ‘Am I really here?’
“But after you get on the grass, all of your emotions go and you just concentrate on trying to do as best as possible.”
The Liverpool starlet went on to charge Jurgen Klopp for the way he supports the club’s younger players behind the scenes, insisting the German head coach is always available for any”aid or service”.
“He’s been incredible, he is incredible with all the kids that go up,” said Williams. “Whenever we need help or support, he is always there.
“He will have banter with us and treat us normally, like a standard player of his. Whoever it is — if we are a kid or one of his elderly, senior players — he treats us all the same. Most of us have identical banter and it is good up times at Melwood.”
