Liverpool summer transfer exit announced as nine Reds stars send goodbye messages

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A long-serving defender has confirmed that he is leaving Liverpool this summer. 08:58, Tue, May 26, 2026 Updated: 09:09, Tue, May 26, 2026 Rhys Williams has confirmed that he is leaving Liverpool this summer (Image: GETTY)Liverpool have announced that a central defender who made his debut under Jurgen Klopp will depart the club when his contract comes to an end this summer.

Rhys Williams made 19 appearances for the first team, all during the 2020-21 season, when the Reds finished third to qualify for the Champions League group stages. The academy product stepped up after Joe Gomez, Joel Matip and Virgil van Dijk all suffered season-ending injuries.Williams formed a defensive partnership with Nathaniel Phillips during the closing stages of that campaign, who departed Liverpool permanently last summer, signing for West Bromwich Albion.

Williams received further well-wishes from ex-Reds players Georginio Wijnaldum and Divock Origi.The club announced his exit hours later, stating: "Rhys Williams will leave Liverpool upon the expiration of his contract at the end of June."They continued: "Everybody at LFC would like to thank Rhys for his contribution and wish him well for the future."The defender has been on Liverpool's books since he was a young boy (Image: PA)Williams has spent this campaign turning out for the club's under-21 side. Williams was cautioned for time-wasting as the Reds protected the result.A penalty shootout ensued, and he converted their ninth spot-kick as Liverpool prevailed 13-12.A month prior, Williams was amongst the first team substitutes for their League Cup third round encounter with Southampton, but remained unused.