Nottingham Forest defender Neco Williams returned to the club that gave him a first foray into professional football on Saturday.
When Williams first returned to Anfield to face Liverpool after his exit, he was on the scoresheet as Forest were beaten 3-2 during the 2022/23 campaign.
On Saturday, Williams played at left-back as the Reds ran riot on Merseyside, claiming a huge 3-0 win with the Wales international registering an assist.
It’s been a brilliant campaign for the defender so far, and at the weekend, he offered a further indication that he’s come a long way since signing terms at the City Ground in 2022.
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty ImagesNeco Williams showcases quality to Liverpool
It’s no slight on Williams that Liverpool deemed the player surplus to requirements three years ago, subsequently letting him leave for Forest in a deal worth £18 million.
The 23-year-old has been a slow-burner at Forest, and in the early stages of his Forest career, he was deemed second in command beyond Serge Aurier at right-back.
Last season, he was outstanding as Forest finished seventh in the Premier League, and now he’s managed to nail down the left-back position under Sean Dyche, too.
Given how badly Milos Kerkez has been since signing from Bournemouth in a deal worth £40 million, Liverpool might wish they still had Williams to call upon.
The Welsh performer massively upstaged Kerkez on Saturday, stifling Mohamed Salah during the 90 minutes and ensuring a torrid afternoon for the Egyptian player.
Statistically speaking, Williams was far better than Kerkez and playing in such a manner at Anfield will have absolutely delighted a player who will no doubt feel he never got a fair crack at the club.
Who was the Man of the Match vs Liverpool? Williams outshines £40 million star Milos Kerkez
This was a vintage performance from Williams once again and the statistics backed up the fact that he outshone his opposite number.
Kerkez was back in the team for Arne Slot’s men at the weekend, and given that the Reds paid £40 million for him, there does seem to be a bit of a problem emerging.
Williams has taken some time to get up to speed, but over the last 18 months, he’s been one of the best players in his position in the Premier League and is one of the first names on the team sheet at the City Ground.
Now, he will hope for more stellar performances to not only help Forest climb the table but also to keep offering reminders to Liverpool that perhaps he was allowed to leave too soon.