Why Rhys Williams’ loan deal has not worked out for Swansea City

Rhys Williams was a key cog in Liverpool’s recovery to third place last season.

But since his loan to Swansea City, he has struggled immensely.

The 20-year-old has featured just six times for Russell Martin’s side, and with a recall clause imminent in January, it seems as if the Swans will cut his season-long spell short.

So why has the loan not worked out? And how can the Preston-born defender rebuild his career?

Liverpool’s Miracle Finish

After a loan with Kidderminster Harriers the season prior, Williams could never have foreseen the pivotal role he had in his parent club’s 2020/21 revival.

The spell in the Midlands was clearly sufficient for Jurgen Klopp and his staff to give him his debut against Lincoln City in the League Cup.

Williams’ didn’t put a foot wrong at Sincil Bank, with many likening him to Virgil van Dijk – possibly more in hairstyle than play style.

He earned another start against Arsenal in the following round at Anfield, keeping a clean sheet with the Reds losing out on spot-kicks after a goalless draw.

Involvement waned for Williams’ until the well-documented centre-back crisis came into force at Anfield. Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Joel Matip, and Fabinho – who is usually deployed in defensive midfield.

The Reds brought in Ben Davies and Ozan Kabak in January to try to stem the flow, but the latter didn’t even register an appearance for the club.

Kabak impressed in patches, but was eventually overtaken in the pecking order by Nat Phillips and Williams.

In his 19 appearances, Liverpool won 13 – including the last five of the season which ensured Champions League qualification.

The Obvious Displacement

Despite Williams’ having such a strong win percentage in Liverpool Red, many who follow them knew of his somewhat limited capability and reliability at Premier League level.

He was sometimes too lax, off the pace and slow for the elite – which led to Jurgen Klopp dropping his defensive line considerably to accommodate him and Phillips.

Now this is to no fault of Williams, as Reds’ supporters were used to the likes of van Dijk, Gomez and Matip who all possess a good level of acceleration – he just didn’t, and it’s difficult to coach.

This is why a move to the Championship – especially to a Swansea side who play the way they do under Russell Martin – seemed a match made in heaven.

Alas, more factors come into play with loan moves than ‘fit’. Sometimes it is about timing, squad depth in a certain position and just a general liking for a player from a manager.

Sporting Director Mark Allen detailed this in a quote in early December when discussing Williams’ future. It doesn’t seem hasty to say that his future is in doubt, from his comments.

“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 out for the individual? Is it working out for the team? Is it working out 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 in the coming weeks with regards to Rhys.”

It has been a season of great inconsistency under Russell Martin so far, but the main concern all campaign for the newly appointed manager has been the defence.

Their back three, a formula preferred by Martin, has been heavily rotated. One would have thought Williams would have seen plenty of game time. He hasn’t stepped foot on the hallowed turf since mid-November.

They’ve conceded 31 goals in the league with just 26 scored in a formation which prioritises defensive stability to allow a possession based style. It’s a little worrying.

Williams is not the solution, it seems. Replacing him and finding suitable cover should be a priority for the Swans this window.

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