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They are cherished memories which provided inspiration during the dark days of Jordan Williams’ “year from hell”.

It was September 23 2014 when the Liverpool Academy youngster got a taste of life at the highest level.

He came off the bench in front of 42,000 fans at Anfield to make his first-team bow in place of fellow debutant Jordan Rossiter in a League Cup tie against Middlesbrough. Williams shone in midfield and then kept his nerve to score from the spot in the Reds’ record-breaking 14-13 shootout triumph.

“I remember every bit of that night,” Williams told the ECHO.

“Not long ago I was speaking to Jordan about it. It was a big night for both of us.

“It was just an unbelievable feeling. That experience of walking up to the Kop to take a penalty is something that I will remember for the rest of my life.

“It was a special moment for me and my family. I got the shirt framed for my mum. She supported me so much and took me everywhere I needed to go as a kid so that was for her.

“Hopefully I can experience something like that again one day. Every day I come into the Academy, I’m thinking about getting back to where I was at that time. It was the best feeling I’ve ever had.”

Since then Williams has had to contend with life at the other end of the emotional spectrum.

After finishing the 2014/15 season on loan at Notts County, he joined Swindon Town on a temporary deal at the start of last season. Not only did he establish himself at centre-back for the League One outfit but his form was recognised by Chris Coleman with a maiden call-up to the senior Wales squad.

Just weeks later - in late September 2015 - a serious knee injury brought his world crashing down.

“I was on a high at the time,” he said.

“Playing every week for Swindon and then going away with Wales, training alongside Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey. Wales were flying at the time as well.

“Against Colchester I went in from the side for a tackle and did my cartilage. It felt okay after the game so I played again on the Tuesday night against Doncaster but it was really sore.

“I got in touch with Liverpool and they arranged for me to have a scan which showed that I needed surgery. My cartilage and my meniscus were catching against each other so they had to take a bit of it out.

“It wasn’t a big operation but I had a few setbacks along the way which meant I was out for 12 months. It’s been hell, really.”

Williams was grateful for the support he received from the club during his long spell on the sidelines.

“It was hard but I’d been through it before as when I was a first-year scholar I was out for 12 months as well,” he added.

“Back then it was the cartilage in my left knee, this time it was my meniscus. I’ve had good people around me to help me through it.

“I’ve always been really close to my mum and she’s helped me a lot. I’ve got good mates and people around the club have been great too. Physios Andy (Renshaw) and Richie (Partridge) looked after me brilliantly.

“The likes of Alex (Inglethorpe) and Mick Beale were great with me too. You feel that you are by yourself at times but it’s nice when someone puts an arm around you.

“The toughest part was coming in, not being able to train and having to be in the gym every day. You’re sat there watching all the lads go out for training. That was tough.”

Williams returned to action in August but a groin injury suffered in the under-23s’ win over Arsenal at the Emirates soon ruled him out for another two months.

He made his latest comeback in the under-23s’ defeat away to Manchester City last week and came through unscathed. Now he has his sights set on making up for lost time.

“I’m feeling good. I’ve got my fitness back. I feel strong and now I want to kick on,” he said.

“It was another setback with my groin but I’m in a better place now. I’ve been working with the fitness coaches for the past three weeks and it was good to get on against City.

“I need to get my head down, keep training and hopefully get a lot of game time. I’ve missed a lot of football but I believe in myself that I can get back to where I was before I picked up the injury.”

Williams, who has been on Liverpool’s books since 2009, turns 21 this Sunday. With his contract due to expire next summer, the clock is ticking if he’s going to make the grade at Anfield.

With the depth of talent currently available to Jurgen Klopp, it’s a big challenge to force his way into the German’s plans. But he won’t give up the fight and takes heart from Klopp’s willingness to put his faith in youth.

“You always have to believe you will make it at Liverpool until the day you are no longer here,” Williams said.

“If I perform well for the under-23s then hopefully that chance to go up to Melwood will come.

“The manager has given chances to loads of players. It was great to see Ovie (Ejaria) and Trent (Alexander-Arnold) play so well against Tottenham. It gives everyone belief that you can get there if you are doing well.

“Kev Stewart, who was at Swindon with me, has done brilliantly and he has deserved his chance. They aren’t the type of lads to get carried away.

“My dream is still to play for Liverpool. I hope my career is here but if it has to be somewhere else then I’ll try to do what someone like Conor Coady has done and make a career elsewhere. I just want to be playing league football every week.”

Williams would be open to the idea of going back out on loan if the opportunity comes up in January having enjoyed his time at Notts County and Swindon.

“If I have to go out on loan again then I’d take that chance straightaway,” he said.

“I loved every minute of it. I remember Alex Inglethorpe saying I’d benefit a lot from going out on loan and he was right.

“Going out every Saturday to get three points - it means a lot more. You’re playing in front of big crowds too.”

In the short-term Williams is focused on making an impact for Liverpool Under-23s. Michael Beale’s side face Porto in the Premier League International Cup at Prenton Park on Wednesday night (kick-off 7pm). They lost their opening game in the competition to Wolfsburg in September.

“These are the games you want to play in as it’s great to test yourself against European opposition,” Williams said.

“Before the defeat to Man City our form had been brilliant. In the first half we didn’t get in their faces enough and didn’t play the football we know we can.

“I’m sure that was just a little blip. We’ll be back at it against Porto.”

Admission on the gate for the FC Porto game is just £4 for adults and £1 for children and concessions. Members and season ticket holders can gain admission free of charge by bringing their cards to the ground.