🚨🏟️“I can’t keep pretending everything is fine. I can’t stay here after Jurgen Klopp’s departure; I need to move on,” declared an ‘exceptional’ Liverpool player, currently not in first-team training under Arne Slot and expected to exit the club.

Over the past two weeks, Arne Slot has been fully immersed in training with his Liverpool squad, taking the time to get to know his players and evaluate their capabilities. Despite the absence of several key players still recovering from their participation in international tournaments over the summer, Slot has had ample opportunity to assess some of the squad’s less prominent members. These training sessions have allowed him to observe players who have often remained in the shadows and see who could fit into his vision for the team.

Among those who have particularly impressed Slot is Sepp van den Berg, a young defender eager to showcase his potential under new leadership. Slot’s attention to detail has enabled him to notice players who may not have been as visible during the previous regime, providing a fresh slate for them to prove their worth. Meanwhile, Curtis Jones has highlighted the return of Kaide Gordon to first-team training, celebrating the young talent’s potential and expressing excitement about the contributions he could bring to the squad.

As Slot narrows down his squad choices for Liverpool’s upcoming tour of America, his preferences for player selection are beginning to crystallize. One notable omission from first-team training is Rhys Williams, who has been left out, indicating that his future with the club may be uncertain. This marks a potential turning point for players like van den Berg, who could see more playing time at Anfield under Slot’s management than they did under Jurgen Klopp. The managerial transition may offer specific players a chance to step up, while for others, it could mean an uncertain future.

Players such as Fabio Carvalho, despite being close to a possible exit, still have a final opportunity to catch Slot’s attention and make a case for their place within the squad. On the flip side, the familiar environment Klopp established might signal an end for certain players, particularly for center-backs Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams. Both Phillips and Williams are well-regarded by Liverpool fans, who remember their significant contributions during the injury-plagued 2020/21 season. Klopp himself had once praised Williams as “exceptional” for his efforts in helping Liverpool secure a third-place league finish, with Phillips also holding a special place in supporters’ hearts.

However, reports from the Liverpool ECHO suggest that this summer could be the final chapter at Liverpool for both Phillips and Williams. Although the club has already declined a bid for Phillips, Williams’ position appears even more vulnerable. The 23-year-old defender, who has reportedly been absent from first-team training, might find himself in need of a fresh start elsewhere. As pre-season unfolds, Slot’s choices will further clarify his vision for Liverpool’s future, highlighting those players who are ready to step up and fit into his strategy.

For players emerging from Liverpool’s academy, there is still time to prove their mettle to the new coach. However, for Williams, it looks increasingly likely that his time at Liverpool is drawing to a close. At 23, he faces the prospect of a career reset – an outcome that, while challenging, may be necessary to regain the regular playing time essential for his development.

Williams, who has grown through Liverpool’s ranks from his youth, now faces the emotional challenge of potentially leaving a club where he’s spent much of his early career. His journey has been marked by difficult loan spells at clubs such as Swansea, Blackpool, Aberdeen, and Port Vale – experiences that underscore the importance of finding a stable environment where he can rediscover the form that once earned him 19 appearances with Liverpool’s first team.

As Slot’s in-depth assessment of his squad progresses, the fate of players like Williams becomes increasingly clear. For now, the emphasis remains on those players who can make a strong impression and secure their spots under the new regime. For others, like Williams, it may mean seeking new opportunities beyond Anfield to rekindle their careers and achieve the playing time they need to flourish.