Struggling Liverpool loanee set for early Anfield return

Liverpool loanee Rhys Williams will return to Anfield this January after an unsuccessful temporary switch to Aberdeen.

The 22-year-old has struggled since moving to Scotland last summer, making no senior appearances for the Dons and largely being used by the club's B team.

Rhys Williams suffered an injury early in the campaign with Aberdeen and has failed to make an impression at Pittodrie, the young defender finding himself low down the pecking order.

The England U21 international, who famously partnered Nat Phillips for the latter stages of Liverpool's 2020/21 campaign, has previously made loan moves to Swansea City and Blackpool with varying degrees of success, but was unable to catch the eye of Aberdeen boss Barry Robson.

As a result, Williams will cut his loan short and return to Liverpool next week, according to Daily Record.

Upon his return to Anfield, the defender is likely to make another exit, either securing a short-term or permanent deal in the upcoming January transfer window.

Williams, who will turn 23 this February, doesn't appear to have a future with the Reds despite having featured 19 times under Jurgen Klopp during Liverpool's injury crisis three years ago.

The Preston-born centre-back is not the only defender struggling north of the English border, Nat Phillips currently finding life difficult during his loan deal with Celtic.

Phillips, whose loan expires in January anyway, has made just eight first-team appearances for the Scottish champions, and is another who is likely to leave the Reds in the near future.