Rhys Williams signs new contract with Liverpool

As confirmed on the club’s official website, Liverpool youngster Rhys Williams has signed a new long-term contract with the club.

A product of the club’s youth academy, the 19-year-old centre-back signed his first professional contract with Liverpool last year. Following that, Williams was loaned out to National League North outfit Kidderminster Harriers for the 2019/20 term.

The Harriers’ current manager Russell Penn, who was the assistant manager back when Williams signed, compared the youngster to our defensive mainstay Virgil van Dijk. (h/t Liverpool Echo)

“He came in, looking the part, and you’re thinking oh my God, he’s Virgil van Dijk in disguise!”

The 19-year-old went on to play a key role for the Harriers over the course of the season, leaving Penn impressed with his mentality. (h/t Liverpool Echo)

“He played every game. He struggled the first month and made three mistakes that cost us three goals but he held his hands up for all of them and I think that was the making of him.”

Back at Liverpool now, Williams has penned a new long-term contract with the club and is expected to be a part of Barry Lewtas’ U23 side for the upcoming campaign.

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We have seen the impact that Trent Alexander-Arnold has made after progressing through the youth ranks at the club.

While Williams is still has a long way to go to make a similar impact, his loan spell last time out was full of promise and potential. Hopefully, it’s not too long before the 19-year-old centre-back comes knocking on the first-team doors.