Liverpool had 'reason' to seal £17m summer exit at Anfield

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By Danny Rust

Published Sep 18, 2022

There was a 'reason' for Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp sanctioning a £17million Anfield departure during the summer transfer window, it has been claimed.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 03: Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp gestures during the Premier League match between Everton FC and Liverpool FC at Goodison Park on September 03, 2022 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Liverpool do not have any regrets over sanctioning Neco Williams' summer move to Nottingham Forest despite Trent Alexander-Arnold's underwhelming start to the season at Anfield, according to journalist Dean Jones.

Although Calvin Ramsay was drafted in during the transfer window, he has been on the sidelines through injury and that has left Alexander-Arnold as boss Jurgen Klopp's only right-back option.

GiveMeSport Transfer Verdict

What's the latest news involving Williams?

Although Williams returned to Anfield after spending the second half of last season on loan with Fulham, where he won the Championship title, he quickly earned a permanent switch away from Liverpool.

Fresh from sealing promotion to the Premier League for the first time in 23 years, Nottingham Forest forked out £17million to sign the 21-year-old.

The deal resulted in Williams ending an association with Liverpool which stretched back for more than a decade, having joined the Merseyside giants at under-9s level.

Having penned a four-year contract and hailed Nottingham Forest's ambition, the 21-cap Wales international has gone on to make the right-back slot his own at the City Ground.

Williams made 33 appearances during his time on Liverpool's books, chalking up six assists in the process.

What has Dean Jones said about Williams?

Jones believes Williams was allowed to leave Liverpool because it would have been difficult for him to leapfrog Alexander-Arnold in the pecking order.

The transfer insider feels the Reds do not regret sanctioning his exit despite Alexander-Arnold coming in for criticism from some quarters.

Jones told GIVEMESPORT: "However bad Trent's performances are being perceived to be, there's a reason why Neco Williams was allowed to leave Liverpool.

"Ultimately, he's not that different a player to Trent, it's just probably he's not quite as good as Trent."

Should Liverpool have kept Williams?

Having only recorded two Premier League wins since the season got underway last month, Liverpool have been disappointing and Alexander-Arnold has come under the microscope.

During his BT Sport punditry duties, Reds legend Robbie Fowler questioned the 23-year-old's 'desire' after the Champions League thrashing at the hands of Napoli last week.

However, there is no doubt that Alexander-Arnold delivers the goods in the attacking third of the pitch after registering 76 goal contributions in 235 appearances.

With that in mind, the 17-cap England international is likely to be his boyhood club's first choice right-back for the foreseeable future and cashing in on Williams was a wise business decision from Liverpool's point of view.