Rhys Williams was playing non-League football last season - he's now set to make his Premier League debut for Liverpool against West Ham today.
Following injuries to Virgil van Dijk, Fabinho and Joel Matip the young defender is poised to start at Anfield as Jurgen Klopp's men take on David Moyes' in-form Hammers.
Wonderkid Williams impressed as a substitute in Liverpool's midweek win over FC Midtjylland when he replaced Fabinho on the half-hour mark as the Brazilian limped off with a hamstring injury. And he's now likely to be rewarded with a starting role as Liverpool face West Ham.
Delighted To Make Another Champions League Appearance. Great Performance From The Boys, 3 Points And A Clean Sheet To Go With It💪🏾🔴#lfc pic.twitter.com/3JmJXvSNv8
— Rhys Williams (@rhyswilliams01) October 27, 2020
The 19-year-old Williams spent last season on loan at Kidderminster, scoring once in 26 appearances in the National League North and impressing Harriers boss Russell Penn in the process.
"Listen, I've got nothing against Under-23 football but it's a different sport at our level," Penn told the Liverpool Echo. "90 per cent of these loans never work.
"He came in, looking the part, and you're thinking oh my God, he's Virgil van Dijk in disguise!
"He's baby-faced, talks like a baby and everything, but I tell you what, he dived straight into it, rented a house with four other lads and was a really big part of the club straight away."
Williams returned to Merseyside when the lower leagues came to a halt in March due to Covid-19.
He was then handed his Liverpool debut this season in the 7-2 Carabao Cup win at Lincoln and got the nod from the off again when the Reds took on Arsenal in the following round.
🧠 - Understanding of the game
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 28, 2020
🔥 - 'Yard of pace'
Former Wigan manager Paul Cook analyses Liverpool teenage defender Rhys Williams who looks set to step in to help their defensive crisis...🛡 pic.twitter.com/MWGcMTP5oE
The Academy graduate also stepped off the bench late on as Liverpool beat Ajax in the Champions League and Klopp continues to be encouraged by what he's seen from the starlet.
In his programme notes for the clash with West Ham, Klopp wrote: "I love his attitude so much. The right amount of confidence and real courage in his approach.
"His decision last season to go on loan to Kidderminster sums it up. He chose to go there, embraced the opportunity and has returned to us more rounded and improved as a professional."
source https://www.sportbible.com/football/football-take-a-bow-liverpool-wonderkid-rhys-williams-set-for-premier-league-debut-20201031
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