“I can’t continue to pretend that everything is fine. I can’t continue here now that Jurgen Klopp is gone, I just have to leave” – An ‘exceptional’ Liverpool player is not training with the first team under Arne Slot and is set to depart.

Arne Slot has been familiarizing himself with his Liverpool squad after nearly two weeks of training.

A significant portion of his key players are still absent, as many are still away due to their involvement in summer international football.

However, the new head coach has at least had the chance to assess some of the fringe players in the Liverpool squad.

Slot has been impressed by Sepp van den Berg, and Curtis Jones has praised the return of Kaide Gordon to first-team training.

As Slot starts to trim the squad size ahead of the tour to America, it is becoming evident which Liverpool players he values and which ones he might not.

**Rhys Williams excluded from first-team training**

The transition from Jurgen Klopp to Slot will undoubtedly benefit some players’ chances of getting more playing time at Anfield. Van den Berg is a clear example of this, but there are others as well.

Fabio Carvalho might still leave Liverpool this summer, but he also has the potential to impress Slot and secure a future with the club.

For others, the comfort of Klopp’s tenure will likely mark the end of their time on Merseyside. This is especially true for center-back duo Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams. Both players are well-regarded by Liverpool fans for their crucial contributions during the injury-plagued 2020/21 season.

Klopp praised Williams as “exceptional” for his role in helping Liverpool secure a third-place finish, while Phillips was also a fan favorite. However, according to the Liverpool ECHO, this summer is expected to be the final chapter for both Phillips and Williams at Liverpool.

The club has already rejected a bid for Phillips, but Williams’ situation appears more dire. The 23-year-old has reportedly been absent from first-team training during pre-season.

As pre-season progresses, it will become clearer who Slot considers part of his squad. For many players, this won’t be a fatal blow to their prospects under the new coach, especially for those from the academy who have time to prove themselves. However, for Williams, his chances have run out. At 23, it’s evident that he needs a fresh start.

Having been with Liverpool since childhood, saying goodbye won’t be easy for Williams. However, the longer he stays, the more it could hinder his career. Williams has struggled during loans at Swansea, Blackpool, Aberdeen, and Port Vale. He needs to find a stable club where he can demonstrate the form that earned him 19 appearances for Liverpool.