Liverpool defender Rhys Williams is on loan again, this time joining League Two side Morecambe. Meanwhile, another Liverpool veteran is attracting interest from a Champions League club, though a £26m transfer needs to be completed first.
Forgotten Liverpool defender on loan again
After over three years without a first-team appearance, Liverpool center-back Rhys Williams has joined League Two team Morecambe on loan.
At 23 years old, Williams has been with Liverpool since he joined their academy at age 10. He is now Morecambe’s 18th summer signing under manager Derek Adams and will stay with the Shrimps until January.
Sixth loan stint away
Williams signed his first professional contract with Liverpool in 2019 and is now on his sixth loan spell away from the club. He has previously played for Kidderminster Harriers, Swansea City, Blackpool, Aberdeen, and Port Vale.
Williams made his professional debut for Liverpool in September 2020, playing the entire match in a 7-2 Carabao Cup win against Lincoln City. He also appeared in nine Premier League games and six Champions League matches that season.
Williams has represented England at youth levels on the international stage, earning six caps with the U18, U19, and U21 teams.
Since joining the first team, Liverpool, he has made just 52 appearances during his various loan spells.
An opportunity to play football
Williams’ latest move to Morecambe is viewed as a chance for consistent first-team football, which he sees as essential for his growth.
Williams expressed his excitement about the loan, saying, “I want him to trust me. I want to come in and impress the fans, so hopefully, we have a successful season.”
Williams’ choice to join Morecambe was shaped by discussions with Adams and a few of his new teammates, which made him feel positive about the move.
“I spoke to a few of the boys and they were all really complimentary about the club, the staff, and fans, so there was only one place I wanted to go,” he said.
Champions League club inquires about Liverpool veteran; £26m transfer needs to happen first
A club’s attempt to lure a long-time Liverpool veteran away from Anfield has reportedly intensified.
Football Insider reports that Aston Villa’s interest in Joe Gomez has resulted in them making an official inquiry to Liverpool officials about the 27-year-old.
The defender is reportedly open to moving to the Midlands to secure a regular starting spot, which he feels might need help getting under Arne Slot. Liverpool would consider selling the England international if they receive an offer between £40m and £45m.
For Unai Emery’s team to move forward, they first need to sell Diego Carlos, who Steven Gerrard signed for £26m two years ago.
Joining Villa would allow Gomez to continue playing in the Champions League for another season. The Midlanders secured a spot in the tournament by finishing fourth in the Premier League last season.
From our perspective, Liverpool might regret selling a highly valuable player—the longest-serving member of the current squad—to a direct rival, especially when he’s in the prime of his career and has shown his ability to perform various defensive roles.
The 27-year-old’s exclusion from the matchday squad against Ipswich last weekend was significant. If Slot doesn’t see him in his plans at Anfield, it would be understandable if the defender sought a move elsewhere.
If Gomez is sold, we expect Richard Hughes to have a replacement ready immediately. There have been persistent links to center-backs like Goncalo Inacio and Piero Hincapie. Still, these names have been mentioned frequently without any solid developments.
Liverpool fans might be hoping that Villa struggles to offload Carlos, hindering their ability to meet the Reds’ asking price for the England international.
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