Liverpool centre-back duo Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams are expected to leave the club this summer, according to reliable journalist Neil Jones.

The Lowdown: Out of favour

The English pair are currently well down the pecking order at Anfield, with Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip, Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez all viewed as more trusted defensive options.

Both Phillips and Williams are held in high regard among many Kopites for their efforts during the injury-plagued 2020/21 season, as they helped Liverpool to finish third in the Premier League.

A fresh report suggests that the duo may have played their last games for the Reds, though, as they possibly look forward to the next chapter in their respective careers.

The Latest: Liverpool duo expected to leave

Writing for Goal on Monday, Jones claimed that Phillips and Williams are 'expected to leave' before deadline day, with 'interest growing' in them as the summer progresses.

Phillips is believed to have Championship 'suitors' and could leave Anfield permanently, while Williams is more likely to be loaned out.

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The Verdict: Makes perfect sense

In truth, Phillips and Williams are unlikely to have long-term futures at Liverpool, considering the quality that's ahead of them at centre-back and the standards expected under Jurgen Klopp.

Both are perfectly competent players - Klopp has called them 'incredible' - but their combined tally of 134 minutes in all competitions last season indicated just how much they are on the periphery at Anfield.

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The pair deserve huge credit for their performances during a tough period, particularly Phillips, but his future feels as though it will lie in the Championship.

Meanwhile, Williams is only 21 and four years younger than his colleague, so he may be given more time to impress at Anfield, but he would need to improve significantly to become a future regular in Klopp's squad.