Pepijn Lijnders has hit out at the online trolls who targeted Neco Williams following Liverpool’s win over Lincoln City last week.
Despite the Reds running out 7-2 victors in the Carabao Cup third round at Sincil Bank, the 19-year-old was subjected to abuse from a vocal minority on social media after completing the 90 minutes.
Williams ‘blacked out’ his Twitter profile in response and has yet to post on the platform since.
Speaking on Friday, Liverpool assistant boss Lijnders slammed those responsible, going as far as to question the value of their support.
He said: “It’s not for me to comment on social media but the only thing I can say is that abuse is wrong - through social media or on the street, it’s wrong.
“Secondly, you’re not a Liverpool supporter if you don’t support.”
Lijnders went on to reveal that Williams received support from a number of his teammates in the immediate aftermath of the criticism.
He continued: “If you say that you are a family and you are together, the most important thing in difficult times then you need to feel full faith.
“Sometimes, you don’t need words [from Klopp] but what’s much more important is that Trent spoke with him, Virgil spoke with him, Robbo spoke with him.
“It’s not only Jurgen and me, it’s how we take care of each other and that’s makes us different.”
The Wales international is expected to make his third start of the season on Thursday when Liverpool continue their EFL Cup journey against Arsenal at Anfield.
