Trent Alexander-Arnold could well face competition for his starting spot in the Liverpool team from yet another academy graduate in the not too distant future.
Ever since making the right-back spot his own during the 2017/18 campaign, Alexander-Arnold has continued to go from strength to strength and is now a Champions League winner and first choice for England.
Under the guidance of Jurgen Klopp, the 21-year-old from West Derby has developed into a world-class player and retained the humble qualities which instantly endeared him to academy bosses.
Liverpool’s academy director Alex Inglethorpe is at the forefront of Klopp’s youthful revolution which has seen the likes of Curtis Jones, Caoimhin Kelleher, Yasser Larouci and Ki-Jana Hoever all progress to the fringes of the first team.
But for Inglethorpe, it’s 19-year-old right-back Neco Williams who could have a serious impact for the Reds – sooner rather than later.
“Neco has been a slow burner. Being a right-back is still a relatively new experience for him, as up until the under-15s/under-16s he played as a winger,” Inglethorpe told The Athletic.
“He’s a quick learner and such a great lad. He takes everything in his stride. He’s a good boy.
“He’s never caused anyone at the academy a moment’s bother. He’s someone you want to be successful.
“In Neco’s mind, he won’t see himself as just there to make up the numbers.
Liverpool starlet Trent Alexander-Arnold is a future Ballon d’Or winner, says Ray Parlour
“He’s quiet and unassuming but he’s also a very determined young man.
“He will put pressure on Trent, I’ve got no doubt about that.
“I’d be very disappointed in Neco if he didn’t do that and I’d be disappointed in Trent if he didn’t recognise that.”
