There’s a player at Liverpool most people have forgotten about, but he’s just been highlighted by one of the club’s coaches.
So many players have come through the ranks at Anfield under Jurgen Klopp. Some make it, others do not.
That is simply the reality of being at a club like Liverpool. Even making your debut for the Reds is a huge achievement.
But if you can get a string of appearances and feature regularly, it’s an even greater achievement. Something that cannot be understated.
At Liverpool, the academy staff put in a lot of work to make sure there are plenty of young players who come through the ranks.
And the club has enjoyed a lot of success over the last few years with the emergence of a plethora of exciting young players.
Barry Lewtas on what Rhys Williams has been like at Liverpool recently
One player who has definitely been forgotten about a little bit at Liverpool is 23-year-old Rhys Williams.
The centre-back has represented Liverpool an impressive 19 times and was crucial for the Reds during the 2020/21 season, when Klopp’s side didn’t have enough fit defenders in the squad.
Since then Williams has struggled to make it in senior football. He has had a couple of disappointing loan spells at Aberdeen and Swansea, where he didn’t feature as much.
But he’s back at Liverpool and enjoying his football again for the club’s U21 side. Recently, Williams featured in a 3-0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Impressively, that wasn’t his first time getting a victory at Old Trafford. He won there 4-2 with Liverpool’s first team a few years ago.
Speaking after the game as per The Daily Mail, Liverpool’s U21 coach, Barry Lewtas was full of praise for Williams and the club’s academy.
“I’ve known Rhys for a long time. He’s had his injury issues and sometimes you can be a bit of a forgotten man,” Lewtas said.
“The character he’s shown, how he’s supported the group, epitomises the type of kid he is. He’s been brilliant.”
“We’re unbelievably fortunate that we have a manager and staff at Liverpool that believes in the academy. Good work goes on at every academy, I know that. But you need a manager who trusts them, and trusts them in unbelievable moments. It’s a huge motivator for the club.”
What’s next for Rhys Williams?
After getting himself back into shape for the club’s U21 side, Williams should be eyeing a permanent move away from Liverpool now.
He’s 23-years-old and deserves to playing regular senior football. He won’t be getting that at Liverpool but he’s talented enough to go somewhere else and earn the minutes he deserves.
Meanwhile, at Liverpool he will always be remembered as a cult figure, and someone who stepped up at a time of need for the Reds.