Rhys is the word giving Alisson reason to relax
DIOGO JOTA stole the headlines with a Champions League hat-trick at Atalanta but goalkeeper Alisson was quick to also hail the quiet evolution happening at the other end of the pitch in the absence of Virgil van Dijk.
Liverpool began the 5-0 victory in Bergamo with the 36th different centre-back partnership of the Jurgen Klopp era as 19-year-old Rhys Williams made his full debut in the competition alongside Joe Gomez.
That the academy graduate was not troubled by a side who scored 98 goals in Serie A last season was a credit to how he has slotted in dur
you’d probably need something special to hit that smile out of his face
ing an injury crisis which has robbed the team of Van Dijk, Joel Matip and Fabinho.
Matip was on the bench on Tuesday after a four-match absence but was not required, with Klopp potentially holding him back for Sunday’s trip to Manchester City.
Since Van Dijk’s injury, which will rule him out for several months, Liverpool have conceded just two goals in five matches.
During that time Gomez has had three different partners, including Williams and fellow youngster Nat Phillips, who has made just two senior appearances for the club.
‘We are not a team of only one player. The last weeks have been difficult times because we have lost some important players in our team, but now we have many com
ing back as well,’ Alisson said. ‘Rhys is a really good lad. He is always asking me to speak with him and talk with him on the pitch, so he is humble. He works hard and this helped him a lot.’
‘He was prepared in his mind but I think he wasn’t waiting for this opportunity. He grabbed it with
both hands and did really well and I’m happy for him, happy for the team we have in front of us.’
A year ago Williams was playing for Kidderminster in National League North but Liverpool have kept clean sheets in two of the three matches he has started – against Arsenal in the Carabao Cup,
and Atalanta – and Klopp has been impressed with his quick adaptation to top-level football.
‘It’s incredible. I couldn’t be more happy for Rhys because you should see him in the dressing room – you’d probably need something special to hit the smile out of his face, it’s probably not possible,’ said Klopp.