Liam Roberts
{{short description|English footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2016}}
{{Use British English|date=April 2016}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Liam Roberts
| image =
| caption =
| fullname = Liam Joseph Roberts{{cite web|title=Retained List 2016-17|url=https://www.efl.com/siteassets/efl-documents/efl-released-and-retained-list---2016-17.pdf|publisher=English Football League|access-date=13 June 2017}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1994|11|21|df=y}}{{cite web |title=Liam Roberts |url=https://www.11v11.com/players/liam-roberts-240074/|work=11v11.com |publisher=AFS Enterprises |access-date=1 July 2017}}
| birth_place = Walsall, England
| currentclub = Millwall
| clubnumber = 13
| position = Goalkeeper
| youthyears1 = {{0|0000}}–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 = 2
| goals13 = 0
| club-update = 11:14, 2 March 2025
}}
Liam Joseph Roberts (born 21 November 1994) is an English professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for {{English football updater|Millwall}} 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.{{cite news|last1=Poole|first1=Andrew|title=ROBERTS LOOKING TO TAKE CHANCE|url=http://www.saddlers.co.uk/news/article/liam-roberts-524597.aspx|access-date=6 February 2016|work=Walsall FC|date=4 December 2012}} He was released by Walsall on 7 May 2014.{{cite news|title=Craig Westcarr: Walsall release top scorer in eight-man clear-out|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/27314209|access-date=6 February 2016|work=BBC Sport|date=7 May 2014}} However, Roberts subsequently re-signed for the club on 22 July 2014 as cover for Richard O'Donnell and Craig MacGillivray.{{cite news|title=Walsall re-sign goalkeeper Liam Roberts|url=https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/walsall-fc/2014/07/22/walsall-re-sign-goalkeeper-liam-roberts/|access-date=6 February 2016|work=Express & Star|date=22 July 2014}}
Roberts was immediately sent out on loan to Rushall Olympic.{{cite news|title=Walsall loan Liam Roberts to Rushall Olympic|url=https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/walsall-fc/2014/07/25/walsall-loan-liam-roberts-to-rushall-olympic/|access-date=6 February 2016|date=25 July 2014}} His loan deal with the Pics was terminated early to allow him to join Rainworth Miners Welfare on 9 September 2014.{{cite news|title=Walsall's Liam Roberts switches loan sides|url=https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/walsall-fc/2014/09/09/walsalls-liam-roberts-switches-loan-sides/|access-date=6 February 2016|work=Express & Star|date=9 September 2014}} Roberts then joined Conference side Southport on 27 November 2014, alongside teammate Amadou Bakayoko.{{cite news|title=Liam Roberts: Walsall goalkeeper joins Southport on loan|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/30229180|access-date=6 February 2016|work=BBC Sport|date=27 November 2014}} 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.{{cite news|title=Walsall send young duo back out on loan|url=https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/walsall-fc/2015/01/16/walsall-send-young-duo-back-out-on-loan/|access-date=6 February 2016|work=Express & Star|date=16 January 2015}} 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.{{cite news|title=Liam Roberts signs new deal at Walsall|url=https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/walsall-fc/2015/06/05/liam-roberts-signs-new-deal-at-walsall/|access-date=6 February 2016|work=Express & Star|date=5 June 2015}}
Roberts returned to Gresley on a three-month loan on 14 August 2015.{{cite news|last1=Wilkinson|first1=Ashley|title=Gresley secure four signings - including Walsall keeper Liam Roberts on loan|url=http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/Gresley-secure-signings-including-Walsall-keeper/story-27603157-detail/story.html|access-date=6 February 2016|work=Burton Mail|date=14 August 2015}} 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.{{cite news|title=Walsall 2-0 Burton|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/34431547|access-date=6 February 2016|work=BBC Sport|date=10 October 2015}} Six days later, Roberts joined Rugby on a one-month loan.{{cite news|last1=Briggs|first1=Daniel|title=ROBERTS JOINS RUGBY TOWN ON LOAN|url=http://www.saddlers.co.uk/news/article/roberts-joins-rugby-town-on-loan-2746607.aspx|access-date=6 February 2016|work=Walsall FC|date=16 October 2015}} He made six appearances for the club before returning to Walsall.{{cite news|title=Liam Roberts|url=http://www.rugbytownfc.com/archive/players/roberts-liam.htm|access-date=6 February 2016|work=Rugby Town FC}}
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.{{cite news|title=Walsall 0-3 Millwall|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35447417|access-date=6 February 2016|work=BBC Sport}}
In July 2016, after signing a new one-year contract with Walsall, he joined Chester on a season-long loan.{{cite news|last1=Briggs|first1=Daniel|title=ROBERTS JOINS CHESTER ON SEASON-LONG LOAN DEAL|url=https://www.saddlers.co.uk/news/2016/july/roberts-joins-chester-on-season-long-loan-deal/|access-date=7 July 2019|work=Walsall FC|date=4 July 2016}} He made 15 appearances in the National League, including a run of six consecutive clean sheets between September and October.{{Soccerbase season|67995|2016|name=Liam Roberts|access-date=7 July 2019}}
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.{{cite news|title=Walsall goalkeeper signs new two-and-a-half-year deal at Bescot|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43132555|access-date=7 July 2019|work=BBC Sport}} He signed a new contract in November 2019.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50479108|title=Liam Roberts: Walsall goalkeeper signs new extended contract|work=BBC Sport|date=19 November 2019}}
= Northampton Town =
On 22 June 2021, Roberts signed for Northampton Town for an undisclosed fee.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57573051|title=Liam Roberts & Jordan Flores: Northampton sign Walsall goalkeeper and Hull winger|work=BBC Sport|date=22 June 2021}} He was named in the PFA League Two Team of the Year after keeping 20 clean sheets throughout the season.{{Cite web |date=2022-06-07 |title=PFA League Two Team of the Year |url=https://www.thepfa.com/news/2022/6/9/pfa-awards-22-league-two-toty |access-date=2023-12-26 |website=Professional Footballers' Association}} At the end of his contract, Roberts was offered a new deal by the club but declined and left as a free agent.{{Cite web |date=2022-06-21 |title=Middlesbrough confirm first signing of summer |url=https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/20225734.middlesbrough-confirm-signing-goalkeeper-liam-roberts/ |access-date=2023-12-26 |website=The Northern Echo |language=en}}
= 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.{{Cite news |date=2023-07-18 |title=Liam Roberts Joins Barnsley On Loan |work=Middlesbrough FC |url=https://www.mfc.co.uk/news/2023/july/18/liam-roberts-joins-barnsley-on-loan/ |access-date=2023-12-26}} On 17 May 2024, Middlesbrough announced the player would be leaving in the summer once his contract had expired.{{Cite web |last=FC |first=Middlesbrough |date=2024-05-17 |title=Club Confirm Retained List |url=https://mfc.co.uk//news/2024/may/17/club-confirms-retained-list/ |access-date=2024-06-07 |website=Middlesbrough FC}}
= Millwall =
On 22 July 2024, Roberts signed for Championship club Millwall, following the unexpected death of Millwall's first team goalkeeper Matija Sarkic.{{Cite web |date=2024-07-22 |title=Millwall sign goalkeeper Liam Roberts from Middlesbrough on free transfer |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cq5j8r58elwo |access-date=2024-07-22 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}
In an FA Cup fifth round tie at Crystal Palace on 1 March 2025, Roberts received a red card for a flying kick into the side of Jean-Philippe Mateta's head as he challenged for the ball outside the box, which caused Mateta to receive oxygen on the field before being hospitalised. Roberts' ban was then subsequently increased to six matches due to the violent nature of the challenge.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/mar/01/crystal-palace-millwall-fa-cup-match-report |title=Crystal Palace through after Millwall keeper’s red for head-high tackle on Mateta|website=The Observer|last=Ronay|first=Barney|date=1 March 2025|access-date=1 March 2025}}
Career statistics
{{updated|match played 1 March 2025}}
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
Honours
Individual
- EFL Golden Glove: League Two 2021–22{{Cite web |date=10 June 2022 |title=Defend your time like the greatest goalies of the season |url=https://www.efl.com/news/2022/june/defend-your-time-like-the-greatest-goalies-of-the-season/ |access-date=2022-06-21 |website=www.efl.com |language=en-gb}}
- Northampton Town Player of the Year: 2021–22{{Cite web |date=1 May 2022 |title=AWARDS HANDED OUT AT CLUB'S END OF SEASON DINNER |url=https://www.ntfc.co.uk/news/2022/may/eosd_report/ |access-date=2022-06-21 |website=Northampton Town F.C. |language=en-gb}}
- PFA Team of the Year: League Two 2021–22{{Cite news |date=9 June 2022 |title=Salah and Kerr win PFA player of year awards |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/61736732 |access-date=2022-06-21}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Soccerbase}}
{{Millwall F.C. squad}}{{Navboxes
| title = Awards
| bg = gold
| fg = navy
| list =
{{Northampton Town F.C. Player of the Year}}
{{2021–22 EFL League Two PFA Team of the Year}}
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Roberts, Liam}}
Category:English men's footballers
Category:Men's association football goalkeepers
Category:Rushall Olympic F.C. players
Category:Rainworth Miners Welfare F.C. players
Category:Southport F.C. players
Category:Gresley Rovers F.C. players
Category:Rugby Town F.C. players
Category:Northampton Town F.C. players
Category:English Football League players
Category:Northern Premier League players
Category:National League (English football) players
Category:Footballers from Walsall
Category:Middlesbrough F.C. players