Neco Williams is causing Liverpool to change transfer plans

Liverpool youngster Neco Williams is allowing the club to pause on buying a new defender after his excellent performances in the FA Cup this season.

I am not sure if Neco Williams expected to play in the Liverpool first team this season – I didn’t have him pegged to feature. But he has excelled in his opportunities and is causing LFC to alter their transfer plans.

Currently the Reds don’t have a first team squad backup for Trent Alexander-Arnold who is fit. Joe Gomez is the obvious understudy but he is shining at center back and is not a natural full back.

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James Milner will play anywhere, but you would not be confident seeing his name at right back against Manchester City or Atletico Madrid.

There is Nathaniel Clyne of course, but the England international is recovering from an ACL knee injury and will likely not feature this season. This follows his previous injuries and the club indicated how they feel about his future by loaning him out to Bournemouth last season.

If he hadn’t been injured in pre-season he would have likely been sold with Crystal Palace keen for him to replace Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

There is high hopes for Ki-Jana Hoever but the Dutchman’s long-term position is expected to be center back. The presumption had been that the Reds would be in the market for a full back this summer.

However, Williams has seized his chance. Taking his lead from Alexander-Arnold he has contributed at both ends of the pitch against Everton and Shrewsbury in the FA Cup. In particular his crossing has been first-rate. Creativity at full back is now a crucial element of Klopp’s system and Williams offers that.

The upcoming fourth round replay means he’ll get at least one more shot to impress. And if the Reds can wrap the league up with a few games to spare he may have a longer audition to prove the club do not need to buy a right back – something they haven’t done since 2015.