Liverpool defender ruled out of England U21 squad

Lewis Oldham
Liverpool

Liverpool youngster Rhys Williams has been left of England’s U21 squad for Tuesday’s game against Albania.

The centre-back joined the club when he was just ten-years-old and he spent last season on loan with Kidderminster Harriers. He made 26 appearances for them last year.

The 19-year-old signed a new long-term deal with Liverpool in September upon returning to the club. He was quickly promoted into Jurgen Klopp’s first team with the club going through an injury crisis in defence.


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Liverpool’s first-choice centre backs – Virgil Van Dijk and Joe Gomez – have both suffered serious knee injuries. As a result, each player will likely be out for the remainder of this season.

This means that Jurgen Klopp is having to rely on the inexperienced duo, Williams and Nat Phillips, to fill in at centre back.

Both players have impressed so far, with Williams making five appearances in all competitions this season. He has also recently broken into England’s U21 side, as he has been capped twice.

Williams was in contention to play a part against Albania U21s on Tuesday night. But the Daily Mail have reported that the defender has been ruled out of the game as a precaution.

This will be concerning for Klopp, who currently only has Williams, Phillips and Joel Matip to rely on at centre-back.

Williams has a place in Liverpool’s Champions League squad, while Phillips does not. They face Atalanta at Anfield next Wednesday, so Klopp will be hoping that Williams is available by then.

Just about all of the greatest uncapped Premier League players ever were pursued by England. And only four of them were English.