Burnley and Brighton and Hove Albion are front-runners to lure Liverpool defender Nat Phillips away from Anfield this summer [GOAL].
The Lowdown: Liverpool re-shape their squad ahead of 2021/22
Liverpool will be looking to be back amongst the honours once again in 2021/22, following their third placed finish last term.
the Reds have already seen the high-profile departure of Gini Wijnaldum to PSG [BBC], whilst loanee Ozan Kabak has returned to Schalke after his temporary stint on Merseyside [SB Nation], so a small reshuffle of the squad could be necessary.
Interestingly, there now could now be a third exit through the famous Anfield gates, in the form of the 24-year-old Phillips.
The Latest: Burnley and Brighton and Hove Albion lead chase
Currently speaking, Burnley and Brighton and Hove Albion are leading the chase for the 6ft 3in colossus [GOAL].
Though the Liverpool hierarchy would be hesitant to sell Phillips, they understand his desire to play regular first-team football and could relinquish his services for the right price [GOAL]. No mooted fee has been established as of yet regarding his potential asking price.
Of course, these developments come as something of a fresh twist in proceedings, as Newcastle United were thought to be the team interested in the centre-back in recent weeks [CaughtOffside].
The Verdict: Phillips should be allowed to depart
There is an agreeable nature to these rumours, signifying it could be the right decision for Liverpool and Phillips to amicably part ways this window.
On one hand, the Bolton-born stopper is unlikely to be an important first-team regular in 2021/22, owing to the recent signing of highly-rated defender Ibrahima Konate from RB Leipzig last month [Liverpool FC] and others returning from injury.
Conversely, Phillips has proven his worth as an established Premier League defender who is too good to sit fourth or fifth in the pecking order. In 2020/21, he made 20 appearances for Liverpool, registering one goal and a solitary assist [Transfermarkt].
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Conveying his dominant prowess within the Reds backline, he won an outstanding 5.6 aerial duels per 90 minutes across the Premier League year [WhoScored]. Put into context, that was by quite a margin the highest rate of the entire Liverpool squad [WhoScored].
Once labelled as ‘brilliant’ by manager Jurgen Klopp [Liverpool FC], Phillips simply has to get out and play as a first-choice defender - he is entering the prime years of his career. Should Liverpool elect to sell him for a considerable sum, that could be a happy ending for both parties as they look towards the new campaign.
In other news, Jurgen Klopp is said to have ‘cancelled’ a move for an international defender.