Liam Roberts Explained

Liam Roberts
Fullname:Liam Joseph Roberts[1]
Birth Date:21 November 1994[2]
Birth Place:Walsall, England
Currentclub:Millwall
Position:Goalkeeper
Youthyears1:–2012
Youthclubs1:Walsall
Years1:2012–2021
Clubs1:Walsall
Caps1:131
Goals1:0
Years2:2012–2013
Clubs2:Romulus (loan)
Caps2:39
Goals2:0
Years3:2014
Clubs3:Rushall Olympic (loan)
Caps3:0
Goals3:0
Years4:2014
Clubs4:Rainworth Miners Welfare (loan)
Caps4:12
Goals4:0
Years5:2014–2015
Clubs5:Southport (loan)
Caps5:0
Goals5:0
Years6:2015
Clubs6:Gresley (loan)
Caps6:18
Goals6:0
Years7:2015
Clubs7:Gresley (loan)
Caps7:9
Goals7:0
Years8:2015
Clubs8:Rugby Town (loan)
Caps8:6
Goals8:0
Years9:2016–2017
Clubs9:Chester (loan)
Caps9:15
Goals9:0
Years10:2021–2022
Clubs10:Northampton Town
Caps10:46
Goals10:0
Years11:2022–2024
Clubs11:Middlesbrough
Caps11:4
Goals11:0
Years12:2023–2024
Clubs12:Barnsley (loan)
Caps12:38
Goals12:0
Years13:2024–
Clubs13:Millwall
Caps13:0
Goals13:0
Club-Update:22 July 2024

Liam Joseph Roberts (born 21 November 1994) is an English professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper who currently plays for club Millwall.

Career

Walsall

Roberts began his career at Walsall's youth academy before joining Romulus on a work experience loan on 4 December 2012.[3] He was released by Walsall on 7 May 2014.[4] However, Roberts subsequently re-signed for the club on 22 July 2014 as cover for Richard O'Donnell and Craig MacGillivray.[5]

Roberts was immediately sent out on loan to Rushall Olympic.[6] His loan deal with the Pics was terminated early to allow him to join Rainworth Miners Welfare on 9 September 2014.[7] Roberts then joined Conference side Southport on 27 November 2014, alongside teammate Amadou Bakayoko.[8] After failing to make an appearance for Southport, Roberts enjoyed a successful spell with Gresley in the second half of the season after joining on 16 January 2015.[9] Roberts made eighteen appearances for Gresley as they challenged for a play-off place in the Northern Premier League Division One South. He was handed a new one-year contract by Walsall on 5 June 2015.[10]

Roberts returned to Gresley on a three-month loan on 14 August 2015.[11] He was recalled by Walsall in October, joining the matchday squad for the first time as an unused substitute in the Saddlers' victory over Burton on 10 October 2015.[12] Six days later, Roberts joined Rugby on a one-month loan.[13] He made six appearances for the club before returning to Walsall.[14]

Roberts finally made his debut for Walsall on 6 February 2016 in a 3–0 home defeat against Millwall, following injuries to both Neil Etheridge and Craig MacGillivray.[15]

In July 2016, after signing a new one-year contract with Walsall, he joined Chester on a season-long loan.[16] He made 15 appearances in the National League, including a run of six consecutive clean sheets between September and October.

Roberts finally established himself as Walsall's first-choice goalkeeper during the 2017–18 season, making 28 appearances in all competitions and being rewarded with a new two-and-a-half-year contract on 20 February 2018.[17] He signed a new contract in November 2019.[18]

Northampton Town

On 22 June 2021, Roberts signed for Northampton Town for an undisclosed fee.[19] He was named in the PFA League Two Team of the Year after keeping 20 clean sheets throughout the season.[20] At the end of his contract, Roberts was offered a new deal by the club but declined and left as a free agent.[21]

Middlesbrough

On 21 June 2022, Roberts signed for Middlesbrough on a two-year contract. On 18 July 2023, Roberts joined Barnsley on a season-long loan.[22] On 17 May 2024, Middlesbrough announced the player would be leaving in the summer once his contract had expired.[23]

Millwall

On 22 July 2024, Roberts signed for Championship club Millwall, following the unexpected death of Millwall's first team goalkeeper Matija Sarkic.[24]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Walsall2015–16League One1000000010
2016–170000000000
2017–1824000004[25] 0280
2018–19420400010470
2019–20League Two320201040390
2020–21320101000340
Total13107020901490
Chester (loan)2016–17National League1501000160
Northampton Town2021–22League Two460200010490
Career total1920100201002160

Honours

Individual

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Retained List 2016-17. English Football League. 13 June 2017.
  2. Web site: Liam Roberts . 11v11.com . AFS Enterprises . 1 July 2017.
  3. News: Poole. Andrew. ROBERTS LOOKING TO TAKE CHANCE. 6 February 2016. Walsall FC. 4 December 2012.
  4. News: Craig Westcarr: Walsall release top scorer in eight-man clear-out. 6 February 2016. BBC Sport. 7 May 2014.
  5. News: Walsall re-sign goalkeeper Liam Roberts. 6 February 2016. Express & Star. 22 July 2014.
  6. News: Walsall loan Liam Roberts to Rushall Olympic. 6 February 2016. 25 July 2014.
  7. News: Walsall's Liam Roberts switches loan sides. 6 February 2016. Express & Star. 9 September 2014.
  8. News: Liam Roberts: Walsall goalkeeper joins Southport on loan. 6 February 2016. BBC Sport. 27 November 2014.
  9. News: Walsall send young duo back out on loan. 6 February 2016. Express & Star. 16 January 2015.
  10. News: Liam Roberts signs new deal at Walsall. 6 February 2016. Express & Star. 5 June 2015.
  11. News: Wilkinson. Ashley. Gresley secure four signings - including Walsall keeper Liam Roberts on loan. 6 February 2016. Burton Mail. 14 August 2015.
  12. News: Walsall 2-0 Burton. 6 February 2016. BBC Sport. 10 October 2015.
  13. News: Briggs. Daniel. ROBERTS JOINS RUGBY TOWN ON LOAN. 6 February 2016. Walsall FC. 16 October 2015.
  14. News: Liam Roberts. 6 February 2016. Rugby Town FC.
  15. News: Walsall 0-3 Millwall. 6 February 2016. BBC Sport.
  16. News: Briggs. Daniel. ROBERTS JOINS CHESTER ON SEASON-LONG LOAN DEAL. 7 July 2019. Walsall FC. 4 July 2016.
  17. News: Walsall goalkeeper signs new two-and-a-half-year deal at Bescot. 7 July 2019. BBC Sport.
  18. News: Liam Roberts: Walsall goalkeeper signs new extended contract. BBC Sport. 19 November 2019.
  19. News: Liam Roberts & Jordan Flores: Northampton sign Walsall goalkeeper and Hull winger. BBC Sport. 22 June 2021.
  20. Web site: 2022-06-07 . PFA League Two Team of the Year . 2023-12-26 . Professional Footballers' Association.
  21. Web site: 2022-06-21 . Middlesbrough confirm first signing of summer . 2023-12-26 . The Northern Echo . en.
  22. News: 2023-07-18 . Liam Roberts Joins Barnsley On Loan . Middlesbrough FC . 2023-12-26.
  23. Web site: FC . Middlesbrough . 2024-05-17 . Club Confirm Retained List . 2024-06-07 . Middlesbrough FC.
  24. Web site: 2024-07-22 . Millwall sign goalkeeper Liam Roberts from Middlesbrough on free transfer . 2024-07-22 . BBC Sport . en-GB.
  25. Appearance(s) in the EFL Trophy
  26. Web site: 10 June 2022 . Defend your time like the greatest goalies of the season . 2022-06-21 . www.efl.com . en-gb.
  27. Web site: 1 May 2022 . AWARDS HANDED OUT AT CLUB'S END OF SEASON DINNER . 2022-06-21 . Northampton Town F.C. . en-gb.
  28. News: 9 June 2022 . Salah and Kerr win PFA player of year awards . en-GB . BBC Sport . 2022-06-21.