Liverpool to bank multi-million fee as Nat Phillips transfer announced
Liverpool’s backline has changed drastically so far this summer, with defenders coming and going at Anfield.
You’d forgive Arne Slot if he wanted to keep the same squad he won the Premier League with last season, but he has already shown his ruthless streak.
Jarell Quansah will soon be sold to Bayer Leverkusen, with Jeremie Frimpong already replacing Trent Alexander-Arnold on Merseyside.
Whether Quansah’s move away will help fund a potential move for Marc Guehi remains to be seen, but he is not the only centre-back to be sold, with Nat Phillips joining West Brom.
Phillips completes permanent move to West Brom
Central defenders have become a big talking point for Liverpool this transfer window, with Ibrahima Konate’s future also up in the air after the Frenchman rejected his latest contract offer.
Along with Quansah and potentially Konate, Phillips has been sold, with West Brom securing his signature.
Lewis Steele has reported on X (23 June) that the Reds will bank around £3million, including add-ons, for the 28-year-old.
This is a respectable fee considering Phillips had one year left on his Liverpool contract and was unlikely to get an extension.
| Nat Phillips | Premier League stats (2020/21) |
| Appearences | 17 |
| Starts | 15 |
| Total minutes | 1455 |
The English defender will mostly be remembered for his time during the 2020/21 season, in which Jurgen Klopp had to heavily rely on Phillips amid an unprecedented injury crisis for the Reds.
Remarkably, despite their injuries that season, Phillips was a contributing factor to Liverpool securing Champions League football, with the Reds finishing third.
Slot to continue to be ruthless with his squad
It is clear that Slot has no place for sentiment as he begins to construct his squad to attempt to retain the Premier League next season.
Players that once looked to have promising futures at Anfield, like Harvey Elliot, look to be on the chopping block after rarely featuring last season.
With Liverpool already investing heavily so far this window, with Frimpong, Florian Wirtz and Milos Kerkez all set to join the champions, selling squad players who Slot does not fancy could be necessary to secure more signings.
It may seem harsh, and certain supporters may not like the sales of young players with seemingly promising futures; however, if these sales can raise funds for a world-class player like Alexander Isak, then Liverpool could have the title wrapped up before a ball has even been kicked.
Phillips will be remembered fondly, but it was time to go.
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