This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.
He is yet another of the Brazilian rising stars for whom the chase will be on this summer.
Now comes the toughest test of all for 22-year-old Willian.
The Shakhtar Donetsk winger was integral in the Champions League beating of Arsenal during the group stages and his displays have caught the eye of both Chelsea and Liverpool in recent months.
Now he and his teammates will pit their wits against favourites Barcelona for a place in the semi-finals, yet there is no fear from the £22million-rated speedster.
"We've worked hard to make people sit up and take notice of us." he said, "Why would we doubt ourselves now?
"Just because we play Messi and Iniesta? We respect them but we do not fear them.
Speaking at his team hotel in Barcelona, Willian added: "With Barcelona you cannot make any mistakes.
"They had been pressuring Arsenal right from the start of their game in the last round. And as soon as Cesc Fabregas made one mistake, they scored."
Triple winners Barca have won 10 of their 12 Champions League quarter-finals and go into tonight's first leg seeking a ninth straight home win in the competition.
But Shakhtar will fight to stay in the tie so that their own formidable home record - an impressive 12 European matches unbeaten - can see them through in the second leg.
Ukrainian paper Sport Arena has boldly predicted that an upset along the lines of their 3-2 win over Barca back in 2008 could be on the cards.
It said: "Invincible teams do not exist. This should be a motto for Shakhtar. Every side has its own weaknesses, even one as powerful as Barcelona."
Wilian agrees. He added: "The whole world will be watching expecting Barca to win. But we will go there to win the game.
"If we lose we know we have a good record at home and we will fight to turn the tie around back there."
Should the Brazilian produce anything like the scintillating form that has shot Shakhtar to their first-ever quarter-final then tonight's opponents could yet join the hunt for his services.
The 5ft 8in schemer is renowned for his trickery and ability to play the ball with either foot. He also possesses a powerful shot - as shown with his venomous goal as Roma was sunk 3-0 in the last round.
Now, having been told that Premier League are keen on him, Willian admits he'd been interested given the impact of his countrymen in recent seasons.
David Luiz has already hit the ground running at Chelsea, Ramires has found his feet after a slow start at Stamford Bridge, Gilberto was an Invincible at Arsenal and Sandro helped Spurs to reach the last eight of the Champions League.
Santos superstar Neymar is also being heavily linked with Chelsea and Willian went on: "The Premier League is really, really strong. That's why so many Brazilian players want to go there.
"The organisation of the League is something we all talk about. If you play a derby in England and you score the whole world will know. Also, the stadiums are full even when the big clubs are playing the smaller clubs in England.
"Its not the same in Brazil. If you have Sao Paolo v Corinthians or Corinthians v Palmeiras then yes, you are going to have a full house. But if one of those teams are playing one of the weaker teams then no, that's not the case. That's the difference."
It is not only the Brazilians in love with the Premier League. Willian moved from Sao Paolo to Corinthians as a nine year old where one Carlos Tevez was the star striker.
The impact made by the Argentinian here in England has convinced Willian more than ever that he'd like to follow suit.
He added: "I was nine when I moved to Corinthians from Sao Paolo. I was in the squad with Tevez but I didn't play in the same team as he was obviously older than me.
"But he has been an inspiration. I've known Tevez from the beginning and I know he was a very simple guy. When he left Sao Paolo to go to England and West Ham we all know what he went on to do in the Premier League.
"It is flattering to hear teams such as Chelsea and Liverpool could be watching me.
"Every time I get the chance I watch Liverpool. They are a very important club and a lot of players would jump at the chance to play for them.
"I have watched players such as Luis Suarez and I have a lot of respect for them.
"Despite all their problems they have a great chance to get back to the top of English football again. I remember watching their midfielder Lucas doing an interview for Sport TV in Brazil and he was showing a camera crew around.
"He spoke so highly about Anfield and we saw that the facilities behind the scenes are fantastic."
Just as impressive is the career trophy haul to date of the man who has hit four goals in 17 matches so far this season.
Willian has led his team to two Ukrainian titles, the Ukrainian Cup, the Ukrainian Super Cup and the 2009 UEFA Cup.
During that UEFA Cup run Shakhtar saw off Martin Jol's Spurs, although the Premier League got their own back when Roy Hodgson's Fulham dumped Donetsk out of the Europa League last season.
Willian went on: "When I played Fulham and Tottenham any preconceived ideas I had about Premier League teams went out of the window because they gave Shakhtar a lot of space to play.
"It wasn't like when you watch these teams on TV and they are right in your face from the outset. I could see myself fitting into the Premier League."
Willian was also a member of the Brazil Under-20 side that clinched the South American Youth Championship in 2007.
And the man about whom there is just a touch of Manchester United's midfielder Anderson has a pedigree to match his medals haul so far.
"I played with Anderson for the national team at Under-17 level." he said, "I think at some stage or another I played with Denilson at Arsenal for the Under-20's as well.
"I also played at that stage with Pato who is now at AC Milan, Marcelo who is now at Real Madrid, Jo from Manchester City and David Luiz from Chelsea.
"Luiz was different class. Absolute quality. He was a central defender who was not scared to play. We all admired him then and it is no surprise that he has gone on to become an important player for Chelsea.
"The thing is, in Brazil when you start football school you have a gift - a ball. That normally happens when you are three years old. But I started late at four! We don't have things like PlayStation. We have the ball.
"But you can never stop learning. I've had a lot of European games which have helped me to improve but that has also come about as a consequence of my work and my playing regularly.
"When you can cope with the pressure of big games you can become a better player. Its easy to get to the top as everyone knows. But very hard to stay there."
Source: Daily Mirror
This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.
This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.
Tagged: Willian