Well, Nat Phillips finally secured a departure from Liverpool a little earlier this week.
On deadline day, the 24-year-old joined Bournemouth on a half-season loan from Liverpool.
The towering centre-back had been surplus to requirements under Jurgen Klopp, despite being a massive player for the Merseysiders last season.
Phillips played a huge role in helping the Reds secure Champions League qualification last season.
However, the addition of Ibrahima Konate and return to fitness of Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip and Joe Gomez meant that the Bolton-born powerhouse barely had a kick under the German manager this time around.
Prior to leaving, he hadn’t played a single minute of Premier League football, underlining the importance of him leaving.
However, a report from the Netherlands illustrates that an Eredivisie club are shocked by his departure.
According to ED, PSV Eindhoven are ‘surprised’ to see Liverpool boss Klopp loan him to the Cherries.
The report adds that the Dutch outfit were interested in signing Phillips themselves, only to be deterred by a £10 million asking price.
So the fact that he was available on loan, evident by the fact that’s his agreement with the Championship outfit, has bemused PSV, the report claims.
Strange decision
It is a bit surprising, to be honest.
Liverpool letting him go isn’t a huge shock, but the fact he dropped down a division was a tad surprising.
Klopp labelled Phillips ‘absolutely insane’ for his performance away at Manchester United toward the end of last season.
This is a proven Premier League defender, so for him to drop down into the Championship seemed a little strange, all things considered.
That being said, Phillips will play regular football and that, at the end of the day, is the most important factor to consider.
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