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Jurgen Klopp has a lot to reflect on in the coming week, with league leaders Leicester City visiting Anfield on Sunday night.
Liverpool’s team has been devastated by injuries, and the Reds boss will have to send in an unknown lineup for the clash to the top of the table this weekend.
One of the many issues to be resolved is who will replace Trent Alexander-Arnold. Liverpool’s starting right-back had to be replaced due to injury against Manchester City and will not be available in the short term.
James Milner replaced at Etihad Stadium and could do so again for the Leicester game. The veteran has provided three assists in his nine starts while playing there for the Reds in the past (by Transfermarkt). Perhaps it could make up for some of the creativity deficit that Trent’s absence inevitably forces the team to do.
However, Neco Williams is a right-back by trade, so he could get the go-ahead from Klopp. His latest appearances for Wales have done no harm to his chances.
That’s fine, as the 19-year-old has made more appearances for his country than for his club in 2020/21, which probably speaks volumes about the relative merits of international football compared to the top end of the Premier League.
But he’s certainly making the most of his chances with Wales. Williams played the full game in their 1-0 win over the Republic of Ireland on Sunday, and was considered the star man of his team in player ratings post-match on Wales Online.
He made positive contributions on both ends of the field, ensuring his man of the match was well deserved. Perhaps most crucially, his interception at the six-yard area when Ireland looked ready to open the scoring in the first half.
Williams was also involved in setting up the game’s only goal, creating an opportunity for Gareth Bale (which ended up being the only effort the Spurs star managed all night).
Chris Mepham was the only player on either side to have the most touches, and Williams topped the game rankings for dribbling players and intercepting passes (via WhoScored).
Perhaps he was lucky enough to get away with a late handball claim, one that would surely have been penalized in the Premier League, but it was a brilliant performance in every way.
However, if Williams were selected for the Leicester visit, it would undoubtedly be the most important match of his fledgling Liverpool career. His three league starts for the club came after he secured the league title last season, and his eight-minute cameo in Atalanta recently is the sum total of his European experience.
In fact, that late substitute appearance in the Champions League is Williams’ only playing time in either of the two major competitions this season, although he did start in the Community Shield and in both Carabao Cup qualifiers.
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It would be a significant show of faith from Klopp if he selected Williams, especially since he was attacked online by supposedly stupid supporters after a few mistakes he made.
The Liverpool manager may feel that Milner is a safer option for the Leicester match, particularly as the rest of the defense is likely to change a lot after recent injuries at the club.
But Williams has been in excellent shape for Wales and would be worthy of inclusion on Sunday if that’s what the Liverpool manager chooses to do.
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