Forgotten Liverpool man who was 'incredible' for Jurgen Klopp now bottom of Football League

Rhys Williams, once a shining star in Champions League campaign, is now battling relegation in League Two. The young defender, who was thrust into the Reds' senior squad during the injury-ridden 2020/21 season,

At just 19, he played in all six of Liverpool's group stage matches in the Champions League and was instrumental in helping the team secure a top-four finish in the Premier League. His performances earned him commendations from who also applauded Nathaniel Phillips for his contributions.

"I remember the final game of last season and they left the pitch with a bandage around the head, cuts on their faces, and that was really a symbol for the whole period," Klopp recalled. "Hopefully nobody forgot how hard we fought to get here. We felt it mentally. We had no centre-halves, had to play midfielders in the last line, then had to use other players in midfield and nothing worked really.

"In the end, we played with two incredible players - Rhys and Nat - but we couldn't use them earlier because they needed time to adapt. So, yes there was a bit of a point to prove and I'm really happy that the boys did that."

Fast forward three years and Williams is now playing in League Two, having joined Morecambe on loan until January. They are currently at the bottom of the table after winning just two and drawing four of their opening 15 games.

Williams, who has had loan spells at several lower-league clubs including Kidderminster Harriers, Blackpool and Port Vale, spent last season at Aberdeen without making a single competitive appearance. Despite being contracted to Liverpool until 2026, his chances of breaking back into the first team under Arne Slot seem slim.

However, he remains hopeful about his future prospects. In a recent interview with Sky Sports, "Trent said when I went back to Liverpool after I had been at Port Vale that availability is the best ability in football."