Jurgen Klopp has revealed that Liverpool tried to sell Nat Phillips but a ‘last second’ collapse scuppered a move away from Anfield.
The 23-year-old is suddenly a slightly more important player for Klopp after Virgil van Dijk was ruled out for the season earlier this week.
Liverpool failed to sign a replacement for Dejan Lovren in the summer, meaning that Phillips, who was on loan at Stuttgart last season, could be considered a viable centre-back option for the German boss.
And Klopp has admitted that it’s a ‘big opportunity’ for Phillips, after revealing that the Swansea City-linked defender was so close to leaving Merseyside last week.
He told The Echo: “Nat Phillips we thought would be transferred, but at the last second it didn’t happen. We already brought him back from Stuttgart for one game last season against Everton in which he did really well.”
Phillips is indeed back in the frame at Liverpool, but if Fabinho plays for the rest of the season like he did against Ajax then there might be little chance for the big Bolton-born defender.
The Brazilian midfielder dropped into central defence against the Dutch side in this week’s Champions League win in Amsterdam.
And although it remains to be seen if Klopp keeps him there until January, when Liverpool will have the chance to sign another defender, the signs are really good in that respect.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
