Calvin Ramsay and Rhys Williams of Liverpool during a training session at AXA Training Centre on January 25, 2023 in Kirkby, England. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)placeholder image
Calvin Ramsay and Rhys Williams of Liverpool during a training session at AXA Training Centre on January 25, 2023 in Kirkby, England. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images) | Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Liverpool could make changes for the FA Cup third round tie and a defender may earn a recall.
Arne Slot might have a few dilemmas to weigh up.
The Liverpool head coach only knows too well about the jeopardy of the FA Cup. Last season’s insipid defeat at Plymouth Argyle will still be vivid. And Crystal Palace’s loss against Macclesfield, who are 14th in National League North, is another reminder of the giant-killings that can happen in the historic competition.
Barnsley, of League One, visit Anfield on Monday and cannot go underestimated. In February 2008, the Reds lost 2-1 to the Tykes in the FA Cup. That is a game that is still etched into Oakwell history.
But at the same time, Slot may look at the third-round fixture and feel he needs to rest some players. Liverpool are in the middle of a hectic schedule and rotating some of the squad could be important.
Certainly, Virgil van Dijk or Ibrahima Konate could do with some respite. The centre-back pair have started every Premier League and Champions League game so far this campaign. And with Liverpool light in the defensive department, with Conor Bradley stretchered off in the 0-0 draw at Arsenal and Giovanni Leoni already sidelined with an ACL injury, they can ill-afford to lose another option. Wataru Endo, who is also capable of operating in the rearguard, continues to recover from a hamstring complaint.
Joe Gomez and Andy Robertson are likely to come into the starting line-up against Barnsley. Calvin Ramsay will also be hoping to make just a second appearance of the campaign, after his long-awaited return in a 3-0 loss against Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup last October. If Van Dijk and Konate are indeed given a rest then Slot may have to look at other options.
The fact that Amara Nallo played for the under-21s in a 3-2 win at Norwich City two days ago suggests that he might not given a full debut. While the Reds have signed Mor Talla Ndiaye and Noah Adekoya - from Amitie FC and Burnley respectively - they may not be thrown into the deep end straight away.
However, Liverpool do have someone in their ranks with first-team experience. Someone who Jurgen Klopp once hailed as ‘absolutely incredible’.
After breaking into the Reds team in the 2020-21 campaign, some supporters might have felt Rhys Williams would become a regular starter down the line. After a 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur, with Van Dijk, Gomez and Joel Matip all suffering long-term injuries, Williams was lauded by Klopp. “Outstanding, outstanding,” the former Liverpool boss said. “Come on. Rhys Williams, you can imagine. It’s like the nowadays Alan Shearer he played against [in Kane].
“He’s so smart. Dropping in the right moments. Then in the second half, they only played long balls. They actually avoided Rhys. They played long balls towards the direction of Fabinho and put Harry there, so we had to really fight for this second balls because Rhys is so strong in the air.
“With the ball as well, he played a pass before our first goal. He has the right amount of confidence. So, for a 19-year-old boy, you don’t have to explain how it works. But you have to be confident.”
Indeed, Williams answered Liverpool’s SOS call several times towards the end of that season. Along with Nat Phillips, the Reds ended up finishing an unlikely third in the Premier League and qualified for the Champions League. The following campaign, Klopp’s side reached the European Cup final.
But since that season, Williams has endured his difficulties. He had difficult loans at Swansea, Blackpool and Aberdeen while he suffered an injury at Port Vale. Last term, he did get regular football at Morecambe despite their relegation from League Two.
It was somewhat of a surprise that Williams didn’t depart Anfield last summer, either on another loan or a permanent deal. And it has left the 24-year-old somewhat in Liverpool limbo. He has played just four times for the under-21s.
However, Williams was on the bench for a 2-1 win over Southampton in the Carabao Cup third round last September. It could make sense if he is named in Slot’s set-up against Barnsley.
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