Klopp forced into Jan U-turn on rising Liverpool star after intriguing Warnock reveal

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has shelved plans to allow defender Rhys Williams to go out on loan in January, according to a report.

The Scottish Sun claims that Klopp initially wanted the 19-year-old to follow a similar path to Harvey Elliott.

The 17-year-old signed for Blackburn on loan in October and has had a stunning impact. Indeed, he has scored four goals and assisted four others in 15 Championship appearances.

Williams, meanwhile, has enjoyed a fantastic, yet unpredictable, rise to Liverpool‘s first team. After long-term injuries to Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez, he has found himself in serious contention for game time.

What’s more, the newspaper claims that his performances since have forced Klopp to think twice about sending him out on loan.

Williams has played nine times for Liverpool this term, including all six Champions League group stage games.

In addition, he made his Premier League debut against Tottenham last Wednesday.

The 19-year-old put in a solid performance against Jose Mourinho’s men, one of several ‘assured displays’ that the newspaper notes have proved crucial in him staying put next month.

Indeed, the source adds that several Championship teams had earmarked Williams as a January loan target.

Middlesbrough were reportedly among them amid a previous intriguing reveal from boss Neil Warnock.

The head coach recently hinted at interest in Williams. He said (via The Scottish Sun): “I was talking to one top Premier League club over the summer about one of their players.

“The player I was looking at ended up playing in the Champions League two weeks later, so I bet he’s glad he didn’t come with me!”

As well as the injuries to Van Dijk and Gomez, Williams has benefitted from issues for Fabinho and Joel Matip.

Salah friend makes Liverpool exit claim

Meanwhile, Mohamed Salah is a more high-profile player who has recently been linked with a move away from Anfield.

The winger has vented his frustrations at not earning the captaincy in the Champions League dead rubber against Midtjylland.

He also admitted that he could not rule out a move to one of the big Spanish clubs.

Now, his former international teammate has suggested that Liverpool are planning to sell the Egyptian.

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