'I went from watching Van Dijk on TV to playing alongside him, it’s crazy!'
After watching on admiringly from afar in the comfort of his home on the television, Rhys Williams will never forget the night he partnered Virgil van Dijk at the heart of the Liverpool defence.
After spending 2019-20 on loan at Kidderminster Harriers in the National League, the Preston born centre-half was then elevated to Jürgen Klopp’s first-team squad and earned a chance in the Carabao Cup.
Williams found himself playing alongside Van Dijk at Lincoln City as the Reds won the third-round tie 7-2.
He then played alongside Liverpool’s No.4 at Anfield in the following round and helped the defence keep a clean sheet before the Reds lost out via a penalty shootout.
In a chat with former Reds striker Neil Mellor for LFCTV's The Academy show, read on as the 19-year-old - who made his Champions League debut on Wednesday - talks about his unexpected opportunities so far in 2020-21…
On getting a first-team debut at Lincoln City…
I think everyone knows how it feels but to put it into words, it was a privilege first of all. I think it’s a reflection of the hard work my coaches and my parents as well have put in with me over the years. I’m still over the moon and happy to have been given the opportunity. It’s every lad's dream to go and play for the best team in the world, especially playing alongside Virg. I mean, what more could you ask for?
On how Van Dijk helped him in the game…
The camera caught me a few times and I was just thinking, ‘I’ve gone from watching this guy on television and now I’m playing next to him, it’s crazy!’ He made my job alongside him a lot easier. He was telling me where I needed to be and what I needed to be doing and stuff like that and he always kept me switched on. He made my debut a lot easier, to be fair.
On playing for the first team at Anfield against Arsenal…
I thought I had a decent game again alongside Virg and then Joe [Gomez]. Again, I was nervous but I think that’s only normal. I enjoyed it and it was just a shame we went out on penalties because we had the better chances in the game and could have gone through.
On the close support from his family, who couldn’t be at Anfield to see him play due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic with behind-closed-doors football…
My mum and dad have been a massive part in who I’ve become and between them they took me to Liverpool since I was eight. On the positive I was playing for Liverpool, but on the negative my family couldn’t be there which I was devastated about. But I owe everything to my mum and dad and my family.
On looking back at being part of the victorious FA Youth Cup team against Manchester City…
After the first half and going 1-0 down, the odds were against us with how the game was going. After half-time we came back out a different team almost and we know with who we had upfront that we always had a chance. Until recently with my debut, that was one of my best career highlights.
On his loan spell at Kidderminster…
That was to improve the defensive side of my game because I think on the ball I was always capable but there was just a few things I needed to tweak defensively. I also think going and playing against men in non-league really highlighted those things and made me improve. For my long-term development I think it’s been the best thing for me and was a great learning experience.
On his pride at seeing FA Youth Cup teammate Neco Williams being part of the first team squad and lifting the Premier League title at Anfield…
Me and Neco have always been quite close and we lived together in digs for two years. We’ve always been good friends and I was over the moon for him. He deserves everything he is getting because he’s had some tough times.
On getting his chance with England U21s…
I think it was a reflection of how I had played for Liverpool in the Carabao Cup. I was meant to go with England U20s but then one of the centre-backs from the U21s dropped out. It was great, so hopefully I can some more opportunities.
On his hopes for the months ahead as he continues to train with the first-team squad..
I’d really like to establish myself with the squad and hopefully when the cup games return maybe get a chance in the FA Cup. For now it’s just head down, work hard and keep showing what I can do in training. Then if I play for the U23s then give the very best I can.