Second-half goals by Takumi Minamino and Divock Origi proved to be the difference, as the Reds advanced to the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup.
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Full-back Neco Williams was understandably delighted with his overall contribution in the 2-0 victory over Preston North End. On Wednesday night, the youngster played a major role in Liverpool’s Carabao Cup win while making his first start of the season. Second-half goals by Takumi Minamino and Divock Origi proved to be the difference at Deepdale, as the Reds advanced to the quarter-finals of the competition. The 20-year-old was at his impressive best throughout the match, as he got his first 90 minutes of the campaign under his belt following an injury. Other than producing a stunning goal-line clearance in the first half, the Wales international provided the assist for Minamino’s opener. He was also involved in the build-up to Origi’s improvised second goal.
As a result, Williams was rightly named Player of the Match. Asked if Preston made them work for the win, “Yeah, 100 per cent. We knew that it wasn’t going to be easy, Preston are a good side. They gave us a good game, we didn’t play our best football but we did enough to get the win and we’re happy with that,” he told Sky Sports.
On Wednesday night, Williams was involved in both goals. Speaking about it, he said, “Yeah, I’ve got to thank Taki and Div for those goals – they kind of saved me there! Great finishes. The team put a shift in, we worked [hard] and we got the win.”
Preston also had their moments in the first half and it took a brilliant block on the line from Williams to keep them out. “To be honest it smashed me in my mouth and I can’t remember much! I was there on the line, I thought, ‘If they get a shot off I’ve got a good chance of blocking it if I’m on line’ so I put myself there, I put my body on the line and luckily it smashed me in my face and I stopped a goal!” he explained.
Opening up about the first goal, he said, “To be honest, I just felt like I had the energy. In the first half especially I was getting right up, I was trying to play as high as I can and I think Conor Bradley – a fantastic player, a young lad and great talent – he came on and went right-back and I went right wing. Wherever the gaffer puts me I’m happy to play. He can put me striker, goalkeeper, anywhere, I’m happy to play.”
It was Williams’ first 90 minutes of the season. Asked to give an assessment of his performance, he said, “I think I did well. I gave everything I had, I got a bit of cramp towards the end but I think that’s just from hard work. All the lads put a right shift in, it wasn’t just me, from the goalkeeper to the striker, all of them. I’m just thankful that we got the win and that I made a contribution to the goals.”
Williams almost ended up with a goal of his own at the end. Talking about it, “I was fuming about that – I should have got on the scoresheet! Never mind, hopefully in the next game I’ll maybe score.”
