Liverpool Defender Rhys Williams Misses England Youth Match

Even Liverpool’s youth centre halves are struggling to stay fit
now.

The good news is that it appears Rhys Williams’ withdrawal from
the England U21 squad for their match against Albania on Tuesday
night was largely precautionary, with manager Aidy Boothroyd
telling reporters that it wasn’t a serious issue.

The bad news is that after already losing Virgil van Dijk and
Joe Gomez, likely for the season, and with
Fabinho not currently in training, now even players who
were meant to provide emergency depth at centre half appear to be
struggling to stay fit.

“He had a very minor stiff hip,” Boothroyd said following
Tuesday night’s match. “It was in his best interests to get him
back to Liverpool. With all the players, if there’s any
potential injuries or niggles, our medical staff is in contact with
the club.”

With only Joël Matip in training today amongst Liverpool’s
established senior centre halves, one of either Williams or Nat
Phillips will be expected to start against Leicester City
on the weekend when the league’s current top two sides face
off.

The Reds will also be without first choice right back Trent
Alexander-Arnold, and while left back Andy Robertson was held out
for Scotland on the weekend with a hamstring issue, his national team manager is hopeful he can face
Israel tonight.