Asked about the moment he found out he'd be in Jurgen Klopp's starting XI, Rhys Williams told Liverpoolfc.com: "I don’t know how to sum it up.
"I'm nervous obviously but I'm over the moon because it's what I've been striving towards, all the hours I've put in. I got my reward and I'm buzzing, absolutely over the moon!
"I had an inkling two days before and then yesterday we did set-pieces and I was starting with Virg [Van Dijk] – that made me feel safe obviously. The day before I prepared right and we got the result.
"He [Klopp] told me not to be nervous and to enjoy myself and play with the boys because obviously stepping up here is a big thing for me, playing with world-class players. They helped me through it but he just told me, 'Don't be nervous and play your game.'
"It's a moment me and all my family dreamed of since I was a kid signing at nine. I've been rewarded with a new contract and now the manager has put his faith in me to play in a cup game, which I'm over the moon with.
"It's a brilliant result for the boys and happy to get through to the next round."
Williams had 2 tackles, 3 interceptions and 1 clearance in a decent outing for the Reds as it was his first senior appearance. The 19-year-old looked solid in the first half and although he dropped off in the second, there were more positives than negatives for the player.
Curtis Jones praised his friend for a fantastic debut and although we might not see a lot of Williams this season outside of the domestic cups, the future looks promising if he keeps his head down and works hard.
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