While signing wingers appears to be Liverpool's primary focus in the final few days of the transfer window, their biggest weakness was once again exposed during Saturday's 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest. We are of course referring to full-back.
For years, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson were two of the most consistently excellent performers in the Premier League, let alone just at Liverpool. Now that both are gone, the weaknesses of their replacements Miloš Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong continue to be exposed.
Well, this is exacerbated further by the fact that Forest had an excellent full-back in their ranks, one who Liverpool let go. Neco Williams joined Liverpool as a six year old, spending 15 years on the club's books, accumulating 33 senior appearances, before being sold to Forest for around £17 million four summers ago.
"Neco Williams steps up when Forest needed it!"
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 12, 2026
What a strike this is to bring Nottingham Forest level 💥 pic.twitter.com/W85z8Hx4a0
Now 25 years old, Williams is one of the most consistent full-backs in the division. The defender racked up 53 appearances across all competitions for the Tricky Trees last season, named the club's player of the season, a key figure as they reached the Europa League semi-finals.
On Saturday at Anfield, the Welshman racked up 12 defensive contributions, second only to Nikola Milenković, as well as six tackles, the most of any player on the pitch, including one last man challenge.
Speaking before the match, Williams was interviewed by TNT Sports, alongside Steven Gerrard, who was his manager at Liverpool with the Liverpool under-19s, before the 46 year old departed for Rangers. Fair to say, the club legend is a massive fan of his former player:
"I apologise to the Forest fans, but Liverpool should’ve kept him... He is arguably one of the best full-backs in the league in my opinion... this is a player who trains the way he plays... he does everything right, very professional. He's a winner... we all already know he's got the talent. "Steven Gerrard on Neco Williams
“It’s always a nice feeling coming back.” ❤️
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) August 29, 2026
Neco Williams on returning to Anfield with Nottingham Forest.
🎙️ @jules_breach | 📺 Watch live on TNT Sports & HBO Max pic.twitter.com/QrbtIGgSxf
Gerrard was absolutely glowing in his assessment of Williams and rightly so. If Forest continue to be a club flirting with relegation, there will certainly be suitors for his signature in the next year or two. Despite being right-footed, the full-back is a lot more commonly deployed on the left, by both club and country. Well, with Forest set to sign Daniel Muñoz from Crystal Palace, this is only set to continue.
Back at Liverpool, suffice to say fans are not enamoured with Kerkez nor Frimpong, especially the latter. Thus, it is not a great look to have an academy graduate outshining two big-money signings while representing lower-calibre opposition.
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