Neco Williams: Premier League debut would be a “massive achievement”
Newport, Wales 13/11/19. Neco Williams of Wales in action against Poland. Wales v Poland u19 Euro Qualifying Round International at Rodney Parade. Lewis Mitchell/YCPD.
Liverpool’s Neco Williams believes that making his Premier League debut in the club’s remaining fixtures would be a “massive achievement”, following a season of great progress.
Williams, 19, has impressed in cup competitions for the Reds this season, making his senior debut in a 5-5 draw with Arsenal in the EFL Cup, which Liverpool went on to win on penalties.
Jürgen Klopp has also given the Wales U19 international game-time in the FA Cup, featuring against Everton, Shrewsbury Town and Chelsea.
After a season of progress for the exciting Welsh prospect, Williams sees a Premier League debut as the next step.
He told Liverpool’s club website, “I’d say that from when you’re a little kid you dream of making a Premier League debut so for me to make it this season would be another massive achievement,”
“If I just keep showing the boss what I’m capable of doing and keep showing my ability in training, then hopefully he’ll give me the opportunity.”
Liverpool currently sit at the top of the Premier League table, 25 points above Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.
As Jürgen Klopp’s Reds return to action in the Merseyside derby against Everton on June 21, the Premier League have approved a plan until the end of the season to allow clubs to make five substitutions, a new rule that Neco Williams could profit from.
Ahead of the run-in, Williams added, “I think now it’s a massive opportunity for us young lads to maybe get an opportunity, but obviously the boss knows best and if he thinks it’s the right game for us to play then for sure he’ll play us. He’ll have no hesitation in that.”
“The lads are looking fit and sharp now, it just feels amazing to get back into it,” he said.
“I think the main aim now is obviously to win the league and try to dominate every team that we play and try to get as many points as we can.
“For sure, all the boys are very excited for the first game and hopefully we’ll get the win. Training-wise, the boys have all been looking very sharp, we’ve got the rhythm back and we’re all looking very fit again.
“I think for all of us now this is the longest that we haven’t had any footy, so it just feels good to get back into it.”
“It is obviously a bit different with no fans but hopefully we’ll just play as we normally do, we’ll get the win and we’ll try to focus on the football.
“It is a bit strange, but obviously this is the way we have to do it now.”
Williams is relishing the fact that the Reds’ first opponents in the resumption of the Premier League season are rivals, Everton.
“I think every Merseyside derby is an intense game and an exciting game and I think it’ll be no different without any fans because the game is still going to be there and the lads are still going to put a fight in, both teams,” the 19-year-old stated.
“Hopefully like we’ve done this season we’ll get the win, we’ll show to everyone that we’ll be the better team on the day and we’ll put a performance in.”
(Featured Image: Lewis Mitchell)
