Jurgen Klopp has described Rhys Williams as “exceptional” following his performance in Liverpool’s 5-0 win over Atalanta.
The Reds produced a masterful performance on Tuesday night, tearing their Serie A opponents to shreds in Italy. Diogo Jota was the undisputed star man, scoring a hat-trick, while Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane also found the net.
Williams was superb in his own right, however, making his first Champions League start and looking at home alongside Joe Gomez.
Speaking after the game, Klopp heaped praise on the young Englishman, having shone bright in the absence of several key men:
Exceptional. I cannot imagine being 19 and playing in the CL against Zapata, it’s incredible!
I couldn’t be more happy for Rhys. You should see him in the dressing room, you’d need something special to get the smile off his face!
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Although Liverpool’s dominance meant Williams wasn’t tested too often by Atalanta, this was still an extremely encouraging performance from him.
He looks a more rounded player than Nathaniel Phillips, despite the latter shining against West Ham last weekend. Williams was good in the air, but also made three clearances and won two duels on the night, never looking flustered at any point.
Joel Matip is expected to be back in the fold for Sunday’s vital clash with Manchester City at the Etihad, but on this evidence, having to play Williams would be no disaster.
City will be another level up from Atalanta, in truth, but the teenage centre-back is growing all the time.