Liverpool will reportedly recall Rhys Williams from his loan spell at Swansea City which could allow Nat Phillips to leave the club for good this January.
According to Goal, the Reds have decided to bring the England youth international back from his season-long spell in Wales. The defender has struggled for minutes since signing for the club on deadline day.
As per the report, Liverpool feel like Williams’ time will be better spent training with the Reds and acting as a fifth-choice centre-back rather than not being used at Swansea. Moreover, the decision could allow Phillips to leave Liverpool on a permanent deal this month.
Phillips has been touted with a move away from Anfield for some time, with the report stating that Liverpool have already rejected a loan-to-buy offer for the 24-year-old centre-back.
Just like Williams, Phillips was key to Liverpool last campaign after the defender was thrown into the senior team after a centre-back crisis saw Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip all injured at the same time.
With Ibrahima Konate being signed and all three defenders returning to fitness, Phillips has seen his minutes this season plummet. And now, the centre-back looks set to leave Anfield with Williams returning from his Swansea loan.
Liverpool are making a smart decision with Phillips and Williams
With the Reds valuing Phillips at £15m, it will be impressive if Liverpool can sell the 24-year-old for this price tag. However, this new plan that has been put into place is a smart one from the Premier League side.
Indeed, it allows the club to recoup some money for Phillips whilst allowing Williams to return to Merseyside and train with Liverpool and act as their fifth-choice centre-back, a decision that many fans will be open about this January.
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