Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is blocking a loan move for Rhys Williams’ after he shone in a defensive heart for the injured Reds … in a blow to many sides of the Championship into Middlesbrough
- Rhys Williams, 19, has broken into Liverpool’s first team after several injuries
- The center fielder has made nine appearances in all competitions for the Reds
- Jurgen Klopp was considering a loan move, but it seems to have changed his mind
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has held back plans to control a loan move for defender Rhys Williams.
Williams, 19, has broken into the first team after several defensive injuries to Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez.
And the teenager has taken enough influence in the heart of Liverpool’s defense for Klopp to change his mind about being loaned out to the Championship.
Rhys Williams (center) Liverpool is likely to remain at the club after impressive performances
As reported by The Sun, several clubs were interested in the second tier, including a play-off run by Middlesbrough.
With van Dijk and Gomez out, Klopp had to turn to other options, with Joel Matip, a Fabinho midfielder and several youngsters filling in at the back.
Nathaniel Phillips, 23, has made two leagues and Billy Koumetio, 18, has done several matchday squads, but Williams, who was born in Preston, has taken a step to make nine appearances.
Reds boss Jurgen Klopp had been keen to put Williams on loan but now wants to keep him.
Most of them have been in the Champions League or Carabao Cup, but the midfielder earned a reputation for his strong performance in Wednesday ‘s win over Wednesday’ s then-Premier League leaders Tottenham.
Klopp wanted to give Williams’ first team consistent experience in the Championship, as Harvey Elliott, 17, who is very good at Blackburn.
But it now appears that the player on loan at Kidderminster North National League last season will be staying at Anfield in the future.
Williams, 19, was ruled out of midfield after several defensive injuries for Liverpool
The absence of Virgil van Dijk (right) and Joe Gomez has led to more chances for Williams
Middlesbrough boss Neil Warnock had said he was in talks to sign Williams ahead of Klopp’s U-turn.
The 72-year-old said: ‘I was talking to one major Premier League club over the summer about one of their players.
‘The player I was watching ended up playing in the Champions League two weeks later, so I bet he’s glad he didn’t join me!’