Phil SumblerLiverpool are set to make the decision this week as to whether to recall Rhys Williams from his loan spell at Swansea in January or not. It seems likely that his time in South Wales will come to an end with the opening of the transfer window as the Reds become more frustrated with the game time available to him.
Although nothing formally has been decided yet, reports from close to Liverpool have suggested that they are needing game time for Williams who, it is feared, has not developed as they wanted during his time in Swansea and that has set back what was seen as good progression following his time in the first team last season.
Williams joined the Swans on loan back in the summer transfer window but has made just 4 league starts for the Swans and been substituted in two of those which has led to open dialogue between both clubs over the best future for Rhys.
Sporting Director Mark Allen told Wales Online “With every loan, there will always be a recall clause in January, very seldom will you have a loan that doesn’t include that for both parties.
“Is it working for the individual? It is working out for the team? Is it working for the club that’s loaning him? Do they think there’s a better loan available for them? All of those will be factors now and we’ll be speaking to Liverpool regards Rhys.”
Sources close to the club have suggested that Swansea are resigned to seeing Williams leave and this is why there are plenty of links to central defenders which is clearly an overall area that we need to strengthen in the January window.
Liverpool are known to have seen this season as the chance to gain regular first team football for Williams and with several championship clubs rumoured to be watching developments regarding him the bigger surprise at the moment would be that he isn’t recalled rather than he is.
I hope that Rhys Williams returns to Anfield to restore his confidence which he has lost at Swansea playing a few games at left back which is not his position. Rhys is a centre back and as Mr Martin does not employ centre backs to play in their rightful position, he has been left out of the team and his confidence has been destroyed. I am sure Liverpool will think twice before loaning any future players to Swansea whilst Mr Martin is Manager.