Liverpool defender Rhys Williams is out to forget his nightmare 2021-22 campaign with a fresh start after completing another temporary move to the Championship.
The centre-half was despatched to Swansea City at the start of last season. The loan deal aimed to aid the youngster's development but, if anything, it saw his career stall. He made just seven outings for the Swans and only four of them were starts. The deal, which was supposed to be a season-long arrangement, was terminated by Williams' parent club in January.
Despite the lack of game time, Williams posted a classy message to the Welsh side upon his departure, saying: "I’d just like to thank everyone at @swansofficial for making me feel part of the family from the get go. Gutted it didn’t go to plan but it’s been a pleasure to be a Swan for the time I was given. Wish the club all the best in the future. Once a Jack always a Jack."
Now, Williams has returned to the second tier by completing a temporary switch to Blackpool. The Tangerines posted a respectable 16th-place finish last season, which was their first campaign back in the second tier after promotion from League One.
In a surprise move, manager Neil Critchley walked out on the club in June, taking up the position of assistant manager for Steven Gerrard at Aston Villa. Michael Appleton then agreed to return to Bloomfield Road for his second stint in the dugout and has made Williams his second summer arrival.
"I’m so happy to be here and I want to show everyone what I can do this season," Williams, 21, told Blackpool's website.
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“I think I’m aerially dominant because of my (6'5") height, and I’m a vocal defender. I like to have the ball at my feet too, so hopefully I can play the way the gaffer wants us to play. I spoke to him (Appelton) before signing, and he was really complimentary and said only good things about the football club and the journey it’s going on. I want to be a part of that, and I’m really looking forward to getting started.”
Williams is praised for his ability on the ball and his willingness to play out from the back; something Blackpool will hope aids their cause during the coming season.
Appleton said of the arrival: "Rhys is a physical and athletic defender who has come through Liverpool’s academy to go on and represent their first-team, and we are thrilled that he has signed for Blackpool. He’s had a good amount of experience despite his young age, and he is someone that is going to add real quality to our squad this coming season.”
It was in 2020 that Williams signed a long-term contract at Anfield, making 19 senior appearances in the 2020-21 campaign following a glut of injuries to centre-halves Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip. Williams is scheduled to stay at Blackpool for the entire 2022-23 season.
