16 January 2024 , 15:28
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Liverpool have recalled Billy Koumetio and sent Rhys Williams on loan as Jurgen Klopp reshapes his squad for the remainder of the 2023/24 campaign.
Koumetio, 21, spent the first half of the season on loan at French side USL Dunkerque but is now back at Liverpool after making nine appearances in Ligue 2. Koumetio signed his first professional contract at the Reds in 2020 and has made two appearances for the club's first-team.
Meanwhile, Williams has been sent out to League One side Port Vale for the rest of the season as he tries to recapture his form. The 22-year-old was recalled from his spell at Aberdeen earlier this month and could make his Valiants debut against Wycombe on Saturday. Klopp had previously admitted that he was surprised Williams had failed to make a single appearance for Aberdeen during his time in Scotland.
Speaking after Williams' move to Vale Park, boss Andy Crosby told the club's website: "I am absolutely delighted to welcome Rhys to Vale Park. He comes into the squad and instantly enhances our defensive options with the quality that he possesses and, as a person, I am sure that he will prove to be a popular figure off the pitch too, with his personality, drive and desire to become the very best version of himself.
"This loan signing is yet another example of clubs at the elite level seeing the way that we treat the players both on and off the pitch and the way that we play as a team, and ultimately seeing Port Vale as an ideal home for their future talents’ development.
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"I would personally like to thank Liverpool FC for allowing us the opportunity to work with Rhys; the First Team staff and I all look forward to working closely with him for the remainder of the season."
Williams has endured a rocky path since breaking into the Liverpool XI and playing an integral role in the club's qualification for the Champions League in 2020/21. As many of Liverpool's other defensive options suffered injuries, the Preston-born centre-back made 19 appearances in all competitions during his maiden campaign in the Reds first-team.
Rhys Williams (Getty Images)
Billy Koumetio (Getty Images)However, Williams has not played a minute of senior football for Klopp since the final day of the that season against Crystal Palace and was sent out on loan to Swansea to gain regular game time. Williams has since spent time at Blackpool and Aberdeen, before his move to Port Vale was confirmed.
Koumetio moved to Liverpool's academy from French side US Orleans in November 2018 at the age of 16 and was named on the bench for the first time less than a year later during a Carabao Cup tie against Arsenal. The centre-back made his first-team debut in the Champions League at FC Midtjylland in 2020 but has since made one further senior appearance, which came against Leicester in December 2021.