Morecambe secure Liverpool defender on loan deal

Central defender Rhys Williams has joined Morecambe on loan from Premier League side Liverpool.

The defender becomes Derek Adams' 18th summer signing and bolsters his defensive options within the squad, in a deal until January.

After joining Liverpool's academy at U10 level, the 23-year-old progressed through the ranks before signing professionally with the Reds in 2019, the same year he helped guide the club to FA Youth Cup glory.

For the first six months of the following campaign, Williams headed out on loan to National League North outfit Kidderminster Harriers where he made 26 appearances before returning to Anfield.

His professional bow with the Premier League giants came in September 2020 where he completed a full 90 minutes in a convincing 7-2 win against Lincoln City in Round Three of the Carabao Cup.

Williams went on to feature more for the first team that season, playing nine times in the Premier League as well as making six Champions League appearances for Jurgen Klopp's side.

More loan spells followed with the likes of Blackpool, Swansea City and Aberdeen before he made the move north to the Mazuma Mobile Stadium.

Internationally, the towering defender has been capped six times for England at youth level; twice for the U18s, twice for the U19s and twice for the U21s.

Speaking after putting pen to paper with the Shrimps, Williams spoke of his excitement at the challenge ahead.

"I'm delighted, the manager has given me a chance to come and play football here and that's the main thing," he said.

"I want him to be able to trust me, I want to come in and impress the fans so hopefully we have a successful season.

"After speaking to the manager, I always wanted to go and play for him. I spoke to a few of the boys and they were all really complimentary about the club, the staff and fans, so there was only one place I wanted to go.

"I'm ready to go, the boys seem ready. I know it's early on but, for me, things will change; I can see a good group, a group which works for each other and that's the main thing - as long as you've got the spirit, you'll always get through tough times.

"I'm composed on the ball, I like to chip in with a few goals; Adam [Lewis] has put a few on my head over the years, so hopefully I can get a few of them, and I'm a commanding presence at the back."

The defender becomes Derek Adams' 18th summer signing and bolsters his defensive options within the squad.

After joining Liverpool's academy at U10 level, the 23-year-old progressed through the ranks before signing professionally with the Reds in 2019, the same year he helped guide the club to FA Youth Cup glory.

For the first six months of the following campaign, Williams headed out on loan to National League North outfit Kidderminster Harriers where he made 26 appearances before returning to Anfield.

His professional bow with the Premier League giants came in September 2020 where he completed a full 90 minutes in a convincing 7-2 win against Lincoln City in Round Three of the Carabao Cup.

Williams went on to feature more for the first team that season, playing nine times in the Premier League as well as making six Champions League appearances for Jurgen Klopp's side.

More loan spells followed with the likes of Blackpool, Swansea City and Aberdeen before he made the move north to the Mazuma Mobile Stadium.

Internationally, the towering defender has been capped six times for England at youth level; twice for the U18s, twice for the U19s and twice for the U21s.

Speaking after putting pen to paper with the Shrimps, Williams spoke of his excitement at the challenge ahead.

"I'm delighted, the manager has given me a chance to come and play football here and that's the main thing," he said.

"I want him to be able to trust me, I want to come in and impress the fans so hopefully we have a successful season.

"After speaking to the manager, I always wanted to go and play for him. I spoke to a few of the boys and they were all really complimentary about the club, the staff and fans, so there was only one place I wanted to go.

"I'm ready to go, the boys seem ready. I know it's early on but, for me, things will change; I can see a good group, a group which works for each other and that's the main thing - as long as you've got the spirit, you'll always get through tough times.

"I'm composed on the ball, I like to chip in with a few goals; Adam [Lewis] has put a few on my head over the years, so hopefully I can get a few of them, and I'm a commanding presence at the back."