Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has said the club made a big mistake by selling Wales international Neco Williams to Nottingham Forest four years ago. The full-back was just 21 at the time and had made 33 appearances for his boyhood club before the decision was taken to allow him to join Forest for £16m.
Prior to that, Gerrard had been Williams' manager in the Liverpool youth set-up and held him in the highest regard. The two were reunited ahead of Liverpool's home match against Forest on Saturday, with Williams interviewed alongside pundit Gerrard on TNT Sports.
Gerrard's verdict on Williams
Asked if he recognised what a talent Williams was at the time, Gerrard said: "I did actually, and I told him. I told his parents they had an incredible talent and an incredible human being. He's an example to any young boy chasing a dream. He wanted it to be here at Liverpool initially but he got the setback that he had to move."
"What he's done is grabbed that opportunity with both hands. He's grown, he's evolved and he's arguably one of the best full-backs in the league in my opinion."
As Williams praised the influence Gerrard had on him as a youngster, Gerrard interjected, adding: "I don't want to cut him off but this is a player that trains how he plays. He comes in of a morning, he does everything right, he's very professional. He's a winner, very aggressive, he's a competitor and we already know he has got the talent."
Williams' rise at Forest
"If you put everything around your talent, you can play at this level and you can stay at this level. I still think he hasn't reached his ceiling yet. I think he's at an age where he can go to the next level with experience and more time and more games."
"He's playing out of position, doing an incredible job on the left side. Can you imagine what he'd be like on the right side? For me, he's a fantastic full-back. I'm not just saying it, and I apologise to the Forest fans, but Liverpool should have kept him."
Williams said: "It's always nice to be back. I spent so many years at the club and it built me into the player I am today. It's always a nice feeling coming back and it's always special. But today we have a job to do and that is to get three points."
The Welshman was Forest's player of the season last season and has attracted interest from the likes of Manchester United and Newcastle this summer. Latest reports suggest Tottenham are considering a bid for him, with Forest determined to keep hold of the player as they try and get him to sign a new extended contract.
