Sources: Liverpool ready to accept Rhys Williams offer
Liverpool are planning to sell fringe defender Rhys Williams permanently this summer, sources have told Football Insider.
The 22-year-old is not part of Jurgen Klopp’s first-team plans, nor is he seen as a future first-teamer at Anfield.
Williams was on loan at Blackpool in the first half of the 2022-23 campaign and it is believed that second-tier sides are interested in signing him in the off-season.
The former England Under-21 international is under contract at Liverpool until June 2026 after penning an extension in 2021.
Williams made 17 Championship appearances for Blackpool during his loan spell at Bloomfield Road before his recall to Anfield in January.
He has since returned to action for Liverpool’s Under-21 side in Premier League 2, completing three 90-minute outings.
The Preston-born defender spent the second half of last season on loan at Swansea but could manage just seven appearances – five of which came from the start.
He was thrust into the spotlight at Liverpool in the 2020-21 season after a number of key injuries to centre-back stars like Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez.
Williams, who was on loan at Kidderminster Harriers in the season before his breakthrough, turned out 19 times for the Reds in Premier League, domestic cup and European competition.
He has not featured for the Merseysiders since the end of the 2020-21 campaign.
The 22-year-old is not the only Liverpool centre-back likely to be available for transfer this summer.
Football Insider revealed on Sunday (19 March) that the Reds have put defender Nat Phillips up for sale this summer amid interest from Premier League sides.
In other news, pundit urges Liverpool to complete “perfect” Ruben Neves signing after £50m reveal.