Deposed Premier League champions Liverpool are prepared to sell centre-back, Nat Phillips, this summer. The 24-year was a breakout star in 2020/21, coming into the team after several injury setbacks for Liverpool’s first-choice options. Now, the Reds are likely to demand around £15 million for the defender, according to The Athletic.
Liverpool Prepared to Sell Defender Nat Phillips
Injury Crisis at Liverpool
Centre-back Nat Phillips is a product of the Bolton Wanderers academy. In 2016, he joined Liverpool, leaving the chance to join the University of North Carolina on a scholarship. He trained with the first-team squad but did not feature. He joined 2.Bundesliga side VfB Stuttgart on loan in 2019/20.
However, in December 2019, Liverpool recalled him due to a defensive injury crisis. This led to his debut in January 2020, playing in the FA Cup win over Everton. , before returning to Stuttgart to finish the season.
Having sold Dejan Lovren to Zenit St Petersburg, Liverpool included Nat Phillips in the first-team squad. Eventually, that turned out to be a positive move in light of future circumstances.
Virgil van Dijk was injured by a Jordan Pickford tackle in October. As a result, Liverpool lost their influential centre-back. Joe Gomez would end up injured after joining up with the England squad later. Joel Matip would later join them on the injured list.
Midfielder Fabinho played as a centre-back for long periods, while Turkish defender Ozan Kabak arrived in January.
Breakout Season for Nat Phillips
Nat Phillips, however, improved significantly since his debut. He grew into the season, and having finished strongly, he is unlikely to accept a bit-part role. Indeed, he even won Liverpool’s Player of the Month for March 2021. His performances were strong, and manager Jurgen Klopp returned Fabinho to midfield. His strong emergence helped in Liverpool’s resurgence.
With van Dijk and Gomez coming back, and new recruit Ibrahima Konate coming, a move may suit him. Liverpool will not stand in his way. They want about £15 million from interested clubs. Burnley are among the clubs to have reported interest in him. James Tarkowski might end up leaving, leaving Phillips to come in as a direct replacement.
Brighton & Hove Albion have also been mentioned, with Liverpool’s interest in Yves Bissouma a possible deciding factor. They could lose Ben White to Arsenal, so a link to Nat Phillips makes sense. Newcastle United and Southampton have also made enquiries.
There is so far no concrete decision made about his future. If the price is right, Liverpool are unlikely to prevent him from leaving. Phillips is open to a move, with regular football in mind. The defender has impressed both Klopp and the Liverpool fans. That won’t be enough to keep him, with three injury returnees and a new signing.
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