Rhys Williams set to be recalled from disappointing loan spell at Aberdeen

With the January transfer window fast approaching, Liverpool look set to cut Rhys Williams' loan spell at Aberdeen short after the centre-back failed to make a single appearance.

The 22-year-old has had a frustrating campaign, failing to secure any first-team action so far during his stint with the Scottish club.

When he joined the club in the summer, he was expected to compete to be a first-choice starter. However, a troubling back injury, that later affected his calves, impeded his adjustment to the team.

Now, though, despite his recovery, Williams hasn't made it into the matchday squad for any Scottish Premiership game and has been an unused substitute in all five of Aberdeen's Europa League group fixtures.

His only appearance for the club came for the under-21s in their Scottish Challenge Cup defeat to Peterhead back in August.

This has prompted speculation, as reported by the Mail, that Williams could be due a recall.

A solution to the defensive 'crisis'?

A return to Anfield for a player who played a key role in helping Liverpool qualify for the Champions League amid an injury crisis in 2020-21 could now be timely, especially in light of Joel Matip's season-ending injury.

However, given the potential return of Nat Phillips from his challenging loan spell with Celtic too, it seems unlikely that Williams will take up a spot in the first-team squad.

Instead, a new loan move might be sought.

Other on-loan Reds

The status of Williams and Phillips aren't the only ones Jurgen Klopp and his team will be monitoring with January on the horizon.

The status of other loaned-out players, including James Balagizi, James Norris and Fabio Carvalho, is being looked at closely for a variety of reasons.

Balagizi, who has had limited game time in League One with Wigan due to a hamstring injury; Norris, who has been struggling for minutes at Tranmere; and Carvalho, unable to make an impact at RB Leipzig, might also see their loan spells cut short.