Williams: Flexibility and hard work vital
Jordan Williams has been absorbing knowledge from senior stars at Melwood in order to improve in a variety of positions and consolidate his place in and around the first-team set-up.
The Wales youth international has been named on the substitutes' bench by Brendan Rodgers for the Reds' last four clashes - against Besiktas, Manchester City, Burnley and Blackburn Rovers.
In September last year he was handed his debut as a 79th-minute substitute during the dramatic Capital One Cup encounter against Middlesbrough.
The clash went to a penalty shootout and, amid the crippling tension of sudden death, the youngster stepped up coolly in front of the Kop to sweep home from the spot.
Williams, who joined the Academy at U14 level, showed he could operate in a number of roles throughout his younger days and he's been aiming to build upon such flexibility in recent months to impress the first-team boss, Rodgers.
"I'm not fussed as long as I am playing, but I think my favourite position is midfield, because I enjoy getting on the ball and getting stuck in," Williams told Liverpoolfc.com.
"That's my type of game - playing as a holding midfielder. But I don't mind going and playing as part of the three at the back. I played right-back last season [for the U21s] against West Ham United.
"It's just all about learning. You've got to be able to play these positions, so that when the manager calls you up, if he ever asks you to play right-back, you're not going to say, 'I can't,' because that's your job.
"The manager has given me a lot of confidence. I'm enjoying my football and I think you can see that on the pitch. Brendan has just been telling me to keep working hard in training, which I'm doing. We'll see what happens from there.
"You have to be quicker at Melwood because they are top players. Stevie [Gerrard] is leaving at the end of the season, so you've just got to get the best tips from him. But I think Joe Allen, Lucas, Jordan Henderson and all those players in there have all been brilliant. Learning from them is the best thing."
Since making his debut against Middlesbrough, Williams has taken his place on the bench on six occasions - away to AFC Wimbledon and Aston Villa being the other two fixtures prior to his run of four successive matches amongst the substitutes.
Away at Besiktas he watched as Liverpool were eliminated from the Europa League against a fiery Istanbul backdrop at the Ataturk Stadium; however, less than three days later he was celebrating on the bench as the Reds overcame reigning Barclays Premier League champions, City.
"It's a massive boost to get on the bench," said Williams. "The manager has to leave players out and that's part of football, but I'm just delighted to be on there and it's given me a great chance. Hopefully I can get my chance soon.
"The City game was the biggest boost because they are a top team and what a win that was, to beat them. I was learning, even from sitting on the bench, from the top players who were playing in that game. I've just got to keep going now, keep working hard and hopefully I can be playing in that game next."
Williams featured for the U21s at the start of this week as they triumphed over Everton in the mini-derby at Chester Swansway Stadium. He started the game in defence before moving into the midfield when Daniel Cleary replaced Alex O'Hanlon.
The tie was won 2-1 by a phenomenal late strike from Harry Wilson, while the Reds kept it tight at the back throughout the first half thanks to the assistance of Mamadou Sakho, who dropped down to gain valuable minutes on his road to full fitness.
"To go a goal down and to come back and win the game 2-1 was brilliant," said Williams. "It's the best feeling - to beat Everton, especially. Harry has been brilliant recently and we knew that he could come on and do that.
"It was great for all of us to have a top player like Sakho come over and give us a boost. He said to us at half-time that we couldn't lose the game, so I think we were all a little bit scared not to lose!
"Mamadou has helped me out, but so have all [the players at Melwood] to be fair. It's been brilliant to be up there training with them. It just makes you a better player all-round. I'm just going to keep enjoying it and keep working hard."