Steven Gerrard believes Liverpool should have retained Neco Williams, praising the Nottingham Forest defender’s professionalism, competitive character and development during TNT Sports’ coverage of Forest’s match against Liverpool on Saturday.
Gerrard, who worked with Williams during his time coaching Liverpool’s academy from 2017 to 2018, said the full-back had consistently demonstrated the same qualities in training as he showed during matches.
“He is exactly the same in training as he is in games. He comes to the training ground every day and does everything very well. He has extremely high professionalism and is a true winner. He is tough, ambitious, and very competitive. As for his talent, we have known it for a long time.”
The former Liverpool captain said Williams had the combination of ability and attitude required to establish himself in the Premier League over the long term.
“In my opinion, he is an excellent full-back. I’m not saying this lightlyI even want to apologize to Nottingham Forest fans: in my opinion, Liverpool should have kept him.”
Williams progressed through Liverpool’s academy and made his senior debut under Jurgen Klopp in 2020. However, he found opportunities limited because of competition for places within the squad and was unable to become a regular starter at Anfield.
He joined Fulham on loan in January 2022 before completing a permanent move to Nottingham Forest. Williams made 33 first-team appearances for Liverpool in total.
His move to Forest provided him with more regular football, and he gradually developed into an important member of the team. The 25-year-old’s contract with Nottingham Forest runs until 2029, although recent transfer speculation has linked him with Tottenham Hotspur.
Williams said the rumours had not distracted him and that his attention remained on his current club.
“I’m just focused on where I am now, and that’s Forest. I can’t do any more than that,” he said in an interview with TNT Sports.
Gerrard’s assessment comes from long-standing knowledge of Williams, having worked with him during the defender’s academy years at Liverpool. He also said that Williams’ consistency and approach to his work had remained clear throughout his career.
The Wales international’s progress at Nottingham Forest has given him the opportunity to play more regularly than he did at Liverpool, where he was competing for a place in a squad containing established options at full-back.
Liverpool eventually sold Williams after his loan spell at Fulham and his subsequent move to Forest. Gerrard, however, remains convinced the club would have benefited from keeping the player.
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