Forgotten Liverpool ‘monster’ is attracting ‘strong interest’ from numerous clubs this summer
A player who is almost certain to leave Liverpool this summer is expected to have a wide range of suitors in the coming weeks.
As Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate have established a dominant central defensive partnership that helped Liverpool secure the Premier League title recently, it’s easy to forget just how unstable that area of the team was not too long ago.
During the 2020/21 season, when Van Dijk was sidelined for a long period with injury, Liverpool struggled with a shortage of defensive options, which led Jurgen Klopp to try several makeshift pairings. Eventually, the unlikely duo of Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams stepped up, helping the team finish in third place.
Williams remains on Liverpool’s books but has since been loaned to five different clubs. Phillips, however, is set to end his long-term association with the club as his contract expires at the end of the month.
Phillips is generating significant interest from Championship clubs.
As reported by Gregg Evans for The Athletic’s Transfer DealSheet on Tuesday, Phillips is in demand as he prepares to leave Anfield permanently.
Following a successful loan at Derby last season, the 28-year-old is attracting “strong interest” from clubs like West Brom and other Championship teams, who are keen to offer him a permanent deal and provide him with the stability he’s been seeking in his career. Phillips will always be remembered at Liverpool for his vital contributions in 2021.
Much like Williams, Phillips has been loaned to five different clubs during his time at Liverpool, with his most recent appearance for the Reds coming in a January 2023 FA Cup replay against Wolves (Transfermarkt).
Despite being somewhat forgotten at Anfield, the “Bolton Baresi” has impressed many of his former managers. Klopp referred to him as an “aerial monster” during his time in the starting XI in 2020/21, while Derby’s manager praised Phillips as “outstanding” and would be happy to have him back next season.
Championship clubs with serious promotion ambitions could do much worse than signing Phillips, who played a crucial role in helping Bournemouth return to the Premier League in 2022 during his loan spell at the Vitality Stadium.
Now, with a baby on the way, Phillips is hoping to find a settled home where he can become a regular starter, having stepped up for Liverpool in their time of need and made valuable contributions for several other teams along the way.
Perhaps, he might even treat fans at his new club to a repeat of his famous ‘Cruyff turn’ against AC Milan at the San Siro in December 2021!
