Liam Joseph Roberts (born 21 November 1994) is an English professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Championship side Middlesbrough. He was named Northampton Town Player of the Season and Player's Player of the Season 2021–22.
Personal information | |||
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Full name | Liam Joseph Roberts[1] | ||
Date of birth | (1994-11-21) 21 November 1994 (age 27)[2] | ||
Place of birth | Walsall, England | ||
Height | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)[2] | ||
Position(s) | Goalkeeper | ||
Club information | |||
Current team | Middlesbrough | ||
Number | 23 | ||
Youth career | |||
0000–2012 | Walsall | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2012–2021 | Walsall | 131 | (0) |
2012–2013 | → Romulus (loan) | ||
2014 | → Rushall Olympic (loan) | 0 | (0) |
2014 | → Rainworth Miners Welfare (loan) | 12 | (0) |
2014–2015 | → Southport (loan) | 0 | (0) |
2015 | → Gresley (loan) | 18 | (0) |
2015 | → Gresley (loan) | 9 | (0) |
2015 | → Rugby Town (loan) | 6 | (0) |
2016–2017 | → Chester (loan) | 15 | (0) |
2021–2022 | Northampton Town | 46 | (0) |
2022– | Middlesbrough | 4 | (0) |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 21:31, 28 June 2022 (UTC) |
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.[17]
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.[18] He signed a new contract in November 2019.[19]
On 22 June 2021, Roberts signed for Northampton Town for an undisclosed fee.[20]
Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
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Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
Walsall | 2015–16[21] | League One | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
2016–17[22] | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
2017–18[23] | 24 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4[lower-alpha 1] | 0 | 28 | 0 | ||
2018–19[24] | 42 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1[lower-alpha 1] | 0 | 47 | 0 | ||
2019–20[25] | League Two | 32 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4[lower-alpha 1] | 0 | 39 | 0 | |
2020–21[26] | 32 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 34 | 0 | ||
Total | 131 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 149 | 0 | ||
Chester (loan) | 2016–17[22] | National League | 15 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 16 | 0 | |
Northampton Town | 2021–22[27] | League Two | 46 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1[lower-alpha 2] | 0 | 49 | 0 |
Career total | 192 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 216 | 0 |
Individual
Middlesbrough F.C. – current squad | |
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Awards | |||||
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