Report: Nottingham Forest and Middesbrough want a player Klopp called ‘outstanding’

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Liverpool defender Nat Phillips is a target for Championship clubs Nottingham Forest, Swansea City and Middlesbrough this summer, according to Goal.

Regardless of whether Joe Worrall stays or goes, Sabri Lamouchi’s Forest will be in the market for a new centre-half before the transfer window slams shut in October.

36-year-old skipper Michael Dawson cannot be expected to play every minute of a grueling 46-game Championship season after all, while Michael Hefele and Yohan Benalouane appear to have no future at the City Ground.

Phillips, then, could be an inspired addition, either as a replacement for Worrall or as a man capable of offering strength in depth.

The Bolton-born 23-year-old is a commanding, 6ft 3ins giant of a centre-back. And, crucially, he also has plenty experience under his belt when it comes to securing promotion.

Phillips shone as Stuttgart sealed their return to the Bundesliga last season, although his best performance of the campaign arguably came in the FA Cup as a fresh-faced Liverpool side knocked out Merseyside rivals Everton at Anfield.

“Nat has played outstanding,” Premier League-winning coach Jurgen Klopp told Goal in 2018 after Phillips caught his eye in pre-season.

Goal adds that Swansea, Millwall, Stoke City and a Middlesbrough side who missed out on Charlie Goode to Brentford are also interested, in the hope that Phillips will be made available on loan.