‘Exceptional’ Liverpool player is not training with the first-team under Arne Slot and he’s set to leave 

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Arne Slot has been getting used to his group of Liverpool players having taken training for almost two weeks now.

Slot is still without a big core of his stars as those involved in the summer international football largely remain away.

However, the new head coach has at least been able to run the rule of some of the more fringe players in the Liverpool squad.

Slot has been impressed by Sepp van den Berg, for instance, while Curtis Jones has hailed the return of Kaide Gordon to first-team training.

As Slot now begins to whittle down the size of his group ahead of the tour to America though, it is becoming clear which Liverpool players he rates and which ones he perhaps doesn’t.

Rhys Williams omitted from first-team training

It’s obvious to say that the change from Jurgen Klopp to Slot will have been beneficial for certain player’s chances of getting more football at Anfield.

Van den Berg is certainly one this applies to, but there are others, too. Fabio Carvalho could still leave Liverpool this summer, but he could just as easily impress Slot and find his way back with a future at the club.

For others, though, it’s also clear that the comfort of Klopp’s time in charge will bring an end to their stay on Merseyside.

This perhaps applies to no one more than centre-back duo Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams. The pair will always be well regarded by Liverpool fans for stepping in so successfully during the injury-hit 2020/21 campaign.

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Klopp called Williams ‘exceptional‘ for the work he did in helping Liverpool salvage a third-place finish, while Phillips was a favourite, too.

However, according to the Liverpool ECHO, this summer is likely to spell the end of the road for Phillips and Williams.

Both defenders are said to be ‘expected’ to leave before the transfer window closes in August.

Liverpool have already rejected a bid for Phillips, but for Williams the picture is even bleaker. The 23-year-old has reportedly been ‘absent’ from first-team training during pre-season so far.

Rhys Williams badly in need of new start

As pre-season continues, it’s likely to become even clearer who Slot rates as part of his group and who is does not.

For a lot of players, this will not be a fatal blow to their chances under the Dutchman. Many of the players he’s been working with so far are from the academy and have years to impress Slot.

But for Williams, his chances have run out. At 23, it’s blatantly obvious that the defender needs a fresh start.

Having been with the Reds since being a kid, it won’t be easy to say goodbye for Williams. But the longer he stays, the more harm he could do to the rest of his career.

Williams has already struggled during loans at Swansea, Blackpool, Aberdeen and Port Vale. He needs to fins a proper home where he can show the form which led him to making 19 appearances for Liverpool.