Alisson Becker has been speaking very highly of his Liverpool teammate Rhys Williams, following last night’s 5-0 win over Atalanta in the Champions League.
The Brazil international – who cost Liverpool £66.8 million – is quoted by Liverpool’s official site as saying: ‘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.’
Alisson wasn’t the only one to heap praise on the 19-year-old.
Jurgen Klopp described the teenager as ‘exceptional’ following his display against last season’s Champions League quarter-finalists.
Goal quote the German as saying: ‘We can start with Rhys – exceptional. I cannot imagine being 19 years old and playing my second professional football game in the Champions League against Zapata, it’s incredible! I would have been nervous like hell, but the boy was not.’
It was the centre-back’s first ever Champions League start, having previously made two substitute appearances against Ajax and FC Midtjylland.
Judging by his display, you wouldn’t have thought Williams was playing non-league football with Kidderminster Harriers as recently as last season.
WhoScored shows that he made three clearances and one tackle against the Serie A outfit, while also completing 91.9% of his passes.
What makes his display more impressive is the fact that he managed to keep Duvan Zapata quiet.
The Atalanta marksman is usually a deadly forward, having netted 19 goals in all competitions last season.
However, the closest he got to scoring against Williams and Liverpool was when he hit the post in the second half.
Liverpool have now won all three of their Champions League games this season, and are yet to concede a goal in the competition.
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