Jurgen Klopp has revealed how a heart-to-heart with Neco Williams helped the Liverpool youngster recover from a difficult week.
Williams was substituted at half-time at Brighton and Hove Albion at the weekend just days after he struggled in the Champions League loss at home to Atalanta.
However, the 19-year-old right-back was an impressive performer against Ajax at Anfield on Tuesday and created the goal for Curtis Jones that clinched top spot in Group D for the Reds with a game to spare.
Klopp had spoken before the game of the challenges facing Liverpool's youngsters in having to replace world-class talents in the side, with Williams stepping in for the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold.
And the Reds boss said of the Wales international: "We had a long talk this week. We both thought he has so much more in the locker than he showed so far.
"That's exactly the situation. When is the right moment for a young boy to come in?
"The season started after a really difficult summer with lockdown and nobody really knew when we can go on again. Then there was a short pre-season."
Klopp, speaking to BT Sport, added: "Then, all of a sudden, Trent is out and he (Williams) has to play early and in the game wasn't in the best shape in that moment. All players have these moments.
"When you are on the big stage, that's not easy.
"He showed - and he can be so much better still - at least glimpses, and it's all good."
