Liverpool have offered Neco Williams a new contract.
The teenage right-back has experienced a breakthrough year for the club, and ended the season with 11 first team appearances. Six of those came in the Premier League, all of which were after the top flight win was confirmed.
But we’d already seen flashes of his ability during the five cup games he played – and against Arsenal in the Carabao Cup in particular.
That game was a mad scramble of a football match but Neco Williams acquitted himself well. He grabbed himself an assist and failed to let the occasion get to him, even as the Gunners played a strong side.
Neil Jones at Goal reported that Liverpool are keen to get Williams to sign a new, five-year deal that’ll reflect his rise from U23 football to the first team. Manager Jurgen Klopp now considers the Welshman to be part of the senior squad, wrote Jones, and his contract will bring him in line with Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott.
Liverpool have managed to find another Academy player at just the right time. As Trent Alexander-Arnold stepped up to fill the need for an attacking right-back, Williams has saved sporting director Michael Edwards from searching for a back-up to Alexander-Arnold.
By featuring in six of the last nine games, Klopp was giving the 19-year-old plenty of time to adjust to the rigours of top flight, first team football and he generally equipped himself well.
More improvements will be sought out, but it’s clear to see that the manager trusts Williams to play his role to a required standard. That’s great news for Liverpool, who can save some money in the market, great news for the fans and even better for the player.
This five-year deal is a clear indication of the belief the backroom staff have in Williams and we should be excited to see how he progresses in the future.