Liverpool transfers: Williams exit nears as Arne Slot plans take shape

Liverpool centre back Rhys Williams is now expected to LEAVE the club this summer having been left out of Arne Slot’s pre-season plans. 

That’s according to a report in the Liverpool Echo, which states that he has been absent from the first-team picture under the Dutchman. 

Williams, 23, has played 19 times for the first team and was described as ‘exceptional’ by Jurgen Klopp after featuring in the Champions League against Atalanta during the 2020/21 season. 

The 6’5 defender, alongside Nat Phillips, helped Klopp alleviate a central defensive injury crisis, playing the final five Premier League games of the season to help the Reds to a third-place finish. 

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Liverpool then opted to extend Williams’ contract through to 2026 but he hasn’t been in the starting XI since May 2021. 

Now according to the Echo, it’s expected that Williams is set for the Anfield exit.  No suitors have been named for Williams, who struggled last season while out on loan. 

Williams struggles on loan

The homegrown stopper was first sent to the Scottish Premiership with Aberdeen but had his loan spell cut short without featuring in a single league game. 

Having been recalled by Liverpool in January, Williams then joined League One side Port Vale for the remainder of the season but was sent back in February to be treated for an injury. 

Throughout his time at the club, Williams has also been on loan at Kidderminster, Swansea and Blackpool. 

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He first joined the club’s academy aged 10 and was an FA Youth Cup winner back in 2019 when the side won the final on penalties against Manchester City. 

Williams made his first-team debut alongside Virgil van Dijk in the EFL Cup against Lincoln City back in 2020, playing on a regular basis for the rest of that campaign including nine appearances in the top flight and six in the Champions League.

“Exceptional. I cannot imagine being 19 and playing in the Champions League against [Duvan] Zapata, it’s incredible!" Klopp told the press after Williams’ impressive performance. 

“I couldn’t be more happy for Rhys. You should see him in the dressing room, you’d need something special to get the smile off his face!”

He is also an England under-21 international but Williams looks set to rebuild his career away from Anfield.