Rhys Williams' journey: from sixth to the Champions League in less than a year

As of December 31, 2019, Rhys Williams played center-back for Kidderminster Harriers, a team that, despite its 134 years of history, lives relegated in the sixth division of English football. After finishing his assignment, his ‘military’ as some call it, Williams returned hardened to the lower categories of an unstoppable Liverpool that he had been sweeping rivals in Europe for years and that, last season, he barely knew the taste of defeat in the Premier. Nine and a half months later, yesterday, in the group stage match against Ajax, he jumped onto the pitch with the Champions League emblem on his shirt.

On Williams' journey there was always an inspiring figure. A Dutch player, a tall and strong guy who had dazzled the world of football to become the best defender on the planet in just a couple of seasons since his landing at Anfield and with whom he made his cup debut. Virgil Van Dijk's extremely serious injury, however, has opened the doors for him. That, and Klopp, whose hand does not tremble when it comes to converting players and polishing diamonds every time he needs it, something that has already happened with Alexander-Arnold, now undoubtedly also one of the best in its demarcation.

Yesterday, in the photo, he appeared with the German coach, the same one that already made him debut in the cup at the end of September. So, because Williams still has not been able to speak a word, he was already leaving signs of how important this 2020 is being for him. “I do not know how to summarize what I feel, I am very nervous, obviously, but right now I am very happy. This is what I have always been pursuing, it is what I have dedicated all the hours ”, he analyzed on the club's website. “Debuting alongside Virg made me feel safe, obviously, and Klopp told me not to be nervous., that I enjoyed myself and that I played with my companions. It has been the moment my family and I have dreamed of since I joined the team when I was nine years old ”.