Glenn Award
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Rhys Williams struggled to express the emotions he was feeling after finding out he was set to make his Liverpool debut
The 19-year-old helped the Reds advance to the Carabao Cup fourth round by playing the entirety of Thursday night’s 7-2 win over Lincoln City
It was a dream come true for the defender, having signed with the club at the age of nine
Excited to make my professional debut for @liverpoolfc Even happier with the 7-2 win Another proud moment for me and my family Thank you for all the support🔴💕 # lfc
Asked when he found out he would be part of Jürgen Klopp’s starting XI, Williams told Liverpoolfccom: « I don’t know how to sum up
« I’m obviously nervous but I’m over the moon because that’s what I’m striving for, all the hours I’ve spent
« I had a little idea two days before and yesterday we did set pieces and I started with Virg – it made me feel safe obviously The day before I prepared well and we got the result
« He [Klopp] told me not to be nervous and to have fun and play with the boys because obviously going up here is a big thing for me, playing with world class players
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« They helped me but he just said, ‘Don’t be nervous and play your game’
« This is a moment my whole family and I have dreamed of since I was a kid signing at age nine
« I was rewarded with a new contract and now the manager has put his trust in me to play in a cup match, which I am delighted with
« It’s a brilliant result for the boys and happy to move on to the next round »
Williams was teamed up with Virgil van Dijk for the first half of the game before Fabinho took over after the interval
« You can see why he [Van Dijk] is the best in the world, » said Williams « He talks constantly
« He knew I was young and I was nervous I never felt more secure around someone Brilliant »
The Liverpool squad on the evening also included Academy graduates Neco Williams and Curtis Jones, who took home the man of the match award after a two-goal display
Williams knows the challenge for him now is to continue to impress the Reds coaching staff in order to claim more first-team opportunities
He continued: « Neco and Curt are obviously the two more recent ones They have managed to establish themselves now as real players in the team
« They did well last year and came in, played a few Premier League games and helped the team win it
« This is my next goal now, to try to be one of those boys and keep moving from there »
Rhys Williams, Curtis Jones
World News – UK – « I’ve dreamed of it since I was nine » – Rhys Williams reacts to LFC debut
