Liverpool now accept that Nat Phillips is being underused by Jurgen Klopp this season. The defender could also leave Anfield during the January transfer window if they receive a bid.
That is according to Goal, which reports the Merseyside outfit admit Phillips is worth more than being Klopp’s fifth-choice option. The 25-year-old has only played in four games so far this season for a combined 208 minutes. He has also started in just two of his appearances.
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Klopp has further only used the centre-back in the Premier League for three minutes since August. Philipps came on as a late substitute as Liverpool beat Southampton in November. He has also spent 12 games on the bench, along with each of their Champions League ties.
Liverpool slash a third off of their valuation to sell Nat Phillips in January
Now, Liverpool will once again consider letting Phillips secure a transfer away from Anfield in January. He could have left the Merseyside natives back in the summer. But the Reds did not feel any team made a suitable offer after he helped AFC Bournemouth gain promotion.
Philips spent the second half of last season with the Cherries as they finished second in the Championship to Fulham. The Athletic then reported in July that Liverpool would have sold the Bolton-born enforcer for £15m. Now, though, Goal notes the Reds would accept £10m.
Yet despite Liverpool slashing a third off of their asking price, Phillips is most likely to leave Anfield on loan with an option to buy if the defender is to secure a transfer in January. The Bolton Wanderers product is under contract on a £65k-a-week deal through to June 2025.
West Ham could explore a deal to take Nat Phillips to the London Stadium
Goal adds that Bournemouth and Fulham showed an interest in securing Phillips’ transfer from Liverpool back in the summer. But any switch in January will again depend on teams making the Reds a suitable offer having now lowered their asking price to facilitate a deal.
One option may be a move to West Ham United, who have long held an interest in signing Phillips – who Jamie Redknapp has called ‘unbelievable’. The Evening Standard cited David Moyes as exploring a deal for the Liverpool defender last January to improve his backline.
Now, Dean Jones has claimed West Ham are again interested in securing Phillips’ transfer from Liverpool in January. The Irons have kept tabs on the centre-half’s situation after not making a bid in the summer. Scouts working for Moyes have also issued positive reports.
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