Jurgen Klopp has already made his feelings clear on Liverpool center-back leaving
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Several players, including Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson, will leave Liverpool when their contracts expire this summer, as the club looks to rebuild its first-team squadJurgen Klopp is a fan of Rhys Williams(Image: Getty Images)Liverpool fans were hardly surprised by the news of Rhys Williams' departure on Monday.The 25-year-old has confirmed he will leave Anfield when his contract expires this summer, ending his long association with the club. Williams hasn't made a first-team appearance for the Reds in five years, spending much of that time out on loan.While Williams hasn't been involved of late, former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp will never forget his contribution to the team during the 2020/21 season.
The center-back was surprisingly pulled into the starting XI after an injury crisis at Anfield that saw Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip all ruled out with long-term issues.READ MORE: Arne Slot makes valid point in defense of Liverpool's difficult seasonREAD MORE: Arne Slot's one-word description of nightmare Liverpool season says everythingKlopp was forced to look at his reserves and trusted Williams and Nat Phillips to do the job at center-back.The pair delivered, helping the Reds win eight of their last 10 Premier League games to jump from mid-table into the Champions League qualification spots.Williams made 19 first-team appearances across all competitions for Liverpool that season, while Phillips was called upon 20 times. Speaking to Sky Sports in October 2020, Klopp was full of praise for Williams.Williams helped Liverpool get out of trouble five seasons ago(Image: Getty Images)"From the first moment, he's pretty impressive," said Klopp while recalling his first impression of Williams.
"He's a character as well, which helps, so that's the situation now."Klopp also spoke to Liverpool's website that same month after Williams helped Liverpool beat Midtjylland in the Champions League. And I mean his all-round approach."While Williams helped Liverpool salvage Champions League soccer five years ago, he failed to kick on from there.