Liverpool defender Rhys Williams joins Swansea on loan

Liverpool defender Rhys Williams has joined Swansea City on loan for the rest of the season.

The 6ft 5ins centre back made 19 appearances for Liverpool’s first team last season but Jurgen Klopp believes a season in the Championship will be of greater benefit to his career development.

The England U21 international had a previous spell on loan at Kidderminster but Swansea will be pushing for promotion, despite losing striker Jamal Lowe to Bournemouth and full back Connor Roberts heading to Burnley.

Williams faced a tough task breaking into Liverpool’s first team this season and it is now hoped he will get plenty of games under his belt at Swansea.

Williams is technically good and it is seen that his playing style will suit that of Russell Martin’s at Swansea, though Klopp also wants him to toughen up physically and believes a Championship season should provide that challenge.

Last summer Swansea had come close to signing Williams’ fellow centre back Phillips from Liverpool, but for the deal to fall through at the last minute.

Williams and Phillips became unlikely heroes last season after being thrust into the limelight as Liverpool’s defensive crisis took hold.

read alsoBurnley completes signing of Connor Roberts from Swansea

Williams partnered Phillips at the heart of defence for the final run-in of the previous campaign, during which Liverpool went unbeaten in ten matches and secured a third place finish as a result.

The youngster was widely praised by manager Jurgen Klopp, though found himself back down the pecking order following the returns of Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip and Joe Gomez.

Summer signing Ibrahima Konate has also pushed Williams further down the list of potential starters, following his £36m arrival from RB Leipzig.