Liverpool's senior players have spoken to young full-back Neco Williams and offered him their total support after he was a target for online abuse.
Wales international Williams, who has been shortlisted for 2020 Golden Boy award following his excellent first season in Liverpool's first team, received extreme criticism in the wake of Liverpool's 7-2 win at Lincoln last Thursday.
Williams was startled by the level of flak he received and is not using his Twitter account at present but he has received backing from figures such as Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk and Andrew Robertson to remind him of the progress he has made.
It was in a Carabao Cup tie against Arsenal last October that Williams emerged with a Man-of-the-Match display and he will line up against the same opponents this evening with Pep Lijnders, Liverpool's assistant manager, adamant he will overcome the problems.
'It is not for me to comment on social media,' said Lijnders. 'All I can say is abuse is wrong, through social and on the street. It is wrong. Second, you are not a Liverpool supporter if you do not support. In difficult times if you say you are family and together, you stay together.
'The most important thing in difficult times when people say things that are not right - or not in the right context - is they (players) need to feel the full faith. Sometimes you do not need words, but what is much more important is Trent spoke with him, Virgil spoke with him, Robbo spoke with him.
'That is how we take care of each other. That is what makes us different. We had players speak with him. We had our manager speak with him. That is a phase he goes through. But again, you cannot get caught up with praise or criticism. Neither help you as a young player.'
Liverpool's team will be unrecognisable to the one that took Arsenal apart on Monday night but the champions continue to be without Jordan Henderson and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain; Henderson is a doubt to face Aston Villa on Sunday while Oxlade-Chamberlain is recovering from knee surgery.
Oxlade-Chamberlain will not be in the next two England squads and Lijnders said: Jordan we will reevaluate on Friday to look if he is ready for Villa, at least to train with us. Ox needs a bit more time but he is progressing well.'
Aullivah99
2
the boy is very good
B4b0ss
2
that's totally wrong , i can say such fans are not a true , they are following someone his life instead of good way , they through rubbish on person . and if the player had just made a mistake why don't you just support him and tell him next time better !!!,🤷 Abuse is unacceptable at all 👈😎
AtoNeikz
0
Neco only impressed me once win over Arsenal he may be good going forward but defensively he is shite he's our next Alberto Moreno he should consider another position infield he's not a good rb defensively I can't imagine him going up against Raheem sterling, Wilfred zaha,Pulisic,Rashford,Son, or Riyad mahrez he'd expose the defense massively and be torn apart
Klopp knows better than yoi ya bellend 🤡
Liverpool2008
0
Its Unt fans all over again get a f***en life
oluwafestus
0
Some fans are crazy why insult it totally unacceptable, not only racism is destroying the game, fans bullying is also one
correct dude
ElmanderElmanuel
0
there is room for improvement but taking I've seen how he forgets he is a defender,how he loves dribbling,how he loves going forward, he should consider picking another position upfront like winger or attacking mid don't forget vvd was once a forward,now look he excelled at cb Gerrard was once a RM when he was taken to deep lying mid he excelled Chelsea wanted mbappe to play in defence of midfield he refused now look at him
Don't forget it is the coach that decides where he plays and where is suitable for him. at age 19 it will be difficult for him to switch to an attacking position especially at Liverpool. even the likes of Ryan Kent, Wilson, Ben Woodburn who are attackers by tradition find it difficult to break into the team. it is more easier for an attacker to switch to defense than vice versa. He hasn't even played up to 15 first team games in his professional career and we have started criticizing him. Patience is needed for a youngster growing up. He will keep learning. Remember TAA was poor in defending some years back that Klopp would rather prefer to play Gomez in big games
mazhan
1
Some fans are crazy why insult it totally unacceptable, not only racism is destroying the game, fans bullying is also one
Meeeilst
0
you're demanding too much from him. Y'all have forgotten he is just 19 and still has aot to learn. not every one will be a Trent or Sancho. You have to understand that he is just developing and there is always room for improvement
there is room for improvement but taking I've seen how he forgets he is a defender,how he loves dribbling,how he loves going forward, he should consider picking another position upfront like winger or attacking mid don't forget vvd was once a forward,now look he excelled at cb Gerrard was once a RM when he was taken to deep lying mid he excelled Chelsea wanted mbappe to play in defence of midfield he refused now look at him
Meeeilst
0
shutup moreno was never good going forward so how can u compare him with neco..Tell me one time moreno had impress you
he always got some bangers of goals neco is talented but i think he should consider being a winger or attacking mid
Mihacdortz
0
Neco only impressed me once win over Arsenal he may be good going forward but defensively he is shite he's our next Alberto Moreno he should consider another position infield he's not a good rb defensively I can't imagine him going up against Raheem sterling, Wilfred zaha,Pulisic,Rashford,Son, or Riyad mahrez he'd expose the defense massively and be torn apart
what z your point?
TheNigerianGOAT
5
Am not a Liverpool, but this is unacceptable
nepmosuz
3
abuse absolutely forbidden in any case we ywnwa after all,how we can we part ywnwa being abusing our players?shameful,any one couldn't member of the fmly in such away.
roedlmntu
0
Neco only impressed me once win over Arsenal he may be good going forward but defensively he is shite he's our next Alberto Moreno he should consider another position infield he's not a good rb defensively I can't imagine him going up against Raheem sterling, Wilfred zaha,Pulisic,Rashford,Son, or Riyad mahrez he'd expose the defense massively and be torn apart
shutup moreno was never good going forward so how can u compare him with neco..Tell me one time moreno had impress you
Yewcdilsz
1
Humans don't understand why do you even talk about someone who is representing Liverpool have you forgotten "you will never walk alone"? It's Klopp's duty to decide not you. Cheer up Williams you are Liverpool and you will always be even if you will join another team one but Liverpool will continue to flow in you. You are doing perfectly good. Thanks lady we are behind you.
sorry lad not lady
Yewcdilsz
4
Humans don't understand why do you even talk about someone who is representing Liverpool have you forgotten "you will never walk alone"? It's Klopp's duty to decide not you. Cheer up Williams you are Liverpool and you will always be even if you will join another team one but Liverpool will continue to flow in you. You are doing perfectly good. Thanks lady we are behind you.
Hopkmopt
4
What idiots would be giving him abuse? He's young and in the first team because of his hard work. Isn't that a need to praise him?
ElmanderElmanuel
0
Neco only impressed me once win over Arsenal he may be good going forward but defensively he is shite he's our next Alberto Moreno he should consider another position infield he's not a good rb defensively I can't imagine him going up against Raheem sterling, Wilfred zaha,Pulisic,Rashford,Son, or Riyad mahrez he'd expose the defense massively and be torn apart
you're demanding too much from him. Y'all have forgotten he is just 19 and still has aot to learn. not every one will be a Trent or Sancho. You have to understand that he is just developing and there is always room for improvement
Badhur
1
Proud of you lad YNWA
vesbckpyz
1
Hey young lad,be yourself, relax and enjoy your game as long as you're been chosen and anointed by the Normal One JK,you will surly excelled. Good luck. YNWA.
sebacimop
0
Abusing him is wrong. But on a serious note that boy is not playing ball like somebody who is playing for Liverpool FC
DiST_Meister_171
0
i thought I was the only person who had a problem with his performance against Lincoln City .. hmm.. he should know better, the best game he has ever had is in the 5-5 draw against Unai Emery's Arsenal ..
he is the one I pity ... he is just trying to be smart but that's the price he is paying . I watch every game .. even West Brom against Leeds or Fulham I will watch .. so I know what I am talking about
Meeeilst
2
Neco only impressed me once win over Arsenal he may be good going forward but defensively he is shite he's our next Alberto Moreno he should consider another position infield he's not a good rb defensively I can't imagine him going up against Raheem sterling, Wilfred zaha,Pulisic,Rashford,Son, or Riyad mahrez he'd expose the defense massively and be torn apart
deba_LFC
1
i thought I was the only person who had a problem with his performance against Lincoln City .. hmm.. he should know better, the best game he has ever had is in the 5-5 draw against Unai Emery's Arsenal ..
ur a pity really!
Ssbk
6
trent and robo on it again delivering assist to neco. oh my friend this is already done no need to stress anymore
fohcdepuy
5
keep your head held high young man, it's all a learning process people are too harsh on young lads, you have a bright career ahead of you, people will type anything, keep learning and progressing you are far from the final product, YNWA
DiST_Meister_171
3
i thought I was the only person who had a problem with his performance against Lincoln City .. hmm.. he should know better, the best game he has ever had is in the 5-5 draw against Unai Emery's Arsenal ..
Whalashishi
2
Stay Focus lad n you be strong 💪 for us. We love you
DavidMgimba
3
Let me wait comments may be I can understand about this article