Southampton are said to be interested in a loan deal for Liverpool centre-back Nathaniel Phillips, as their search for a Jannik Vestergaard replacement rumbles on [The Athletic].

The Lowdown: Shaky start for Saints

Starting 2021/22 with a lacklustre 3-1 defeat away to Everton on Merseyside, Saints manager Ralph Hasenhuttl will be under no illusions - he needs to strengthen in central defence after the departure of Vestergaard to Leicester City [BBC].

With just under two weeks of the window left to go, Southampton now look to have turned their attention to 6 foot 3 colossus Phillips.

The Latest: Southampton keen on Phillips

As relayed by The Athletic, the St Mary’s club are believed to be looking towards Liverpool defender Phillips to fill the void left by Vestergaard.

They are not looking to do a permanent deal, however Southampton would be willing to come to some sort of loan arrangement for his services.

Newcastle United and Burnley are amongst two of many clubs mooted to have been monitoring his situation this summer.

The Verdict: Phillips would be a solid addition

An important part of Liverpool’s UEFA Champions League qualification last term, Phillips would be a solid signing for the Saints due to his domineering presence and bravery at the back.

In 2020/21, he made 20 appearances for the Reds, notching two goal contributions; one goal and one assist [Transfermarkt].

Influential at the heart of the Liverpool defence, Phillips managed to successfully win no fewer than 5.6 aerial duels per fixture across the same time period [WhoScored].

Once labelled as ‘brilliant’ by his manager Jurgen Klopp after bagging the Reds' Player of the Month award for March 2021, Southampton could do a lot worse than to sign Phillips up before the end of August [Liverpool FC Official].

In other news, Southampton eye a midfielder once hailed by Pep Guardiola. Find out everything you need to know here.