Liverpool’s go-to man under Klopp set for new club at team on the up – Exclusive
Liverpool are set to do plenty of business this summer as they prepare for the defence of their Premier League title.
Arne Slot will be backed to transform his squad by Fenway Sports Group in an attempt to defend the Premier League title.
The spine of his title-winning squad was remnants of the one that Jurgen Klopp left, with only Federico Chiesa, who barely featured, signed last summer.
However, the Dutchman is reshaping the team with Jeremie Frimpong already signed and deals for Milos Kerkez and Florian Wirtz in the works but that could lead to outgoings.
Phillips to seal Liverpool exit amid West Brom interest
Nat Phillips looks set to leave Liverpool, with several Championship clubs including West Brom believed to be interested in his services.
The 28-year-old has struggled to break into the first-team fold at Anfield, featuring 29 times since making his debut in 2020.
The centre-back spent last season on loan with Derby County and helped them avoid relegation as he made more appearances than he has ever done for the Reds.
Iconic commentator Ian Darke believes that is the right time for both parties to move on and thinks a move to the second tier, at a team chasing promotion to the Premier League, would be perfect.
Speaking exclusively to Liverpool News, he said: “I think he’s a great old soldier, isn’t he? I remember he had to play quite a lot of games when they had a lot of injury problems at the back and he did okay for Klopp.
“I think he is a very fine signing for any team in the Championship, especially those who are looking to make a promotion or a playoff run. Of whom, West Brom would certainly be one.”
Liverpool should let Phillips leave
It makes no sense for the Reds star to stick around any longer, despite having a year left on his contract with the L4 outfit.
Affectionately known as the ‘Bolton Baresi’ by supporters, he has served the club well in his time on Merseyside, filling in particularly well in the 2020-21 campaign, in which he helped Klopp’s side achieve a top-four finish alongside Rhys Williams.
The German was not afraid to call upon Phillips when he needed to and that was apparent as an injury crisis decimated his options in defence that season.
He was rewarded for that contribution with a Champions League start against AC Milan at the San Siro and his ‘Cruyff’ turn on Zlatan Ibrahimovic will forever be etched in the memory.
He has not featured for the Reds since the FA Cup third-round replay against Wolves in the 2022/23 campaign and looks unlikely to ever put on the shirt again, a move makes sense for both parties, given he is below Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Joe Gomez and Jarell Quansah in the pecking order.
He should be allowed to move on and earn a regular starting role at a new club, especially one looking up to the Premier League in West Brom.
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