'Wow...' - Ex-BBC man reacts to Liverpool 'boost' after source reveals possible first Ward sale

Former Premier League striker Noel Whelan has delivered his verdict regarding the future of Neco Williams at Liverpool. 

The 21-year-old spent the second half of the 2021/22 campaign on loan at Fulham and helped the London club earn a promotion to the Premier League.

Having previously acted as an understudy to Trent Alexander-Arnold for the most part, Williams scored twice and provided another two assists in 14 Championship appearances following the January switch.

As a return to the AXA Training Centre beckons in the coming weeks, the Wales international’s future is bound to be in the spotlight during the summer transfer window and a source close to Craven Cottage has already revealed there is interest in a permanent £12million move.

And with the player valued at just £7.2million by Transfermarkt, Julian Ward would be starting his reign as the new Anfield transfer guru with a hefty 40 per cent mark-up.

Speaking to Football Insider, former BBC pundit and now Leeds United employee Whelan has suggested that selling Williams could be the best move for all parties.

The 47-year-old said: “He’s done a fantastic job at Fulham. He was shown a lot of trust by Marco Silva and Jurgen Klopp. He’s repaid it by playing his part in the title win.

“He’s well worthy of that £12million price tag. I think he put himself on a platform with his performances at Liverpool over the past few seasons. I just can’t see him having a future in that red shirt – for sure.

“If they can get that kind of money for three or four players on the fringe like Williams, wow…that could be a nice little boost to the transfer budget.”

Although there is little question as to whether Williams is a Premier League level operator having already made 13 top-flight