Liverpool could yet have some business to complete on deadline day, with reliable journalist James Pearce revealing the future of centre-back Nat Phillips is hanging in the balance.
The Lowdown: Phillips out of favour
The 24-year-old did admirably for the Reds last season, filling in at the back in the absence of key injured trio Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip.
Phillips hasn’t featured at all yet in 2021/22, however, and with Ibrahima Konate coming in to add to the depth in the heart of defence, he is effectively surplus to requirements at Liverpool.
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The Latest: Pearce provides update
According to The Athletic’s Pearce [via Anfield Watch on Twitter], Phillips could still leave in the hours before the transfer window closes.
It is claimed that Anfield officials believe late offers will arrive for the Englishman, who is valued at £12million.
It looks like Liverpool’s business is not done yet.
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The Verdict: Time to leave, Nat
Phillips should always be appreciated for the job he did last season, but he remains a limited defender who isn’t at the level required moving forward, in terms of his quality on the ball – only 0.4 key passes per game in the Premier League in 2020/21 – and lack of pace.
He needs regular football in order to continue maturing as a player, which is something Jurgen Klopp simply cannot offer him barring another catastrophic injury crisis.
Hopefully, a bid comes in for Phillips and he can leave permanently, acting as an ideal scenario for all parties.
In other news, Liverpool are eyeing up a deadline day signing – find out who it is here.
