Some Bundesliga clubs and three Championship clubs are eyeing Liverpool defender Nathaniel Phillips.
Express Sport reports that the 23-year-old, who spent the majority of the 2019-20 season on loan with Bundesliga side Stuttgart, is now being courted by number of Bundesliga teams. During his stint in Germany, the centre-back made 23 appearances for Thomas Hitzlsperger’s side.
Philipp was briefly recalled to his parent club in January following an injury crisis. He made his debut in an FA Cup third round clash with Everton.
So, his impressive displays in Germany have caught the attention of several clubs in England as well.
It was gathered that the English clubs monitoring him include Blackburn, Bristol City and Swansea City.
Since many clubs are interested in acquiring the defender’s services, Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp is willing to entertain both loan and permanent deals for the Bolton Wanderers academy graduate.
What now remain unclear is the amount Liverpool would want for Phillips, whose contract at Anfield expires next summer.
Nat Phillips wants to fight for his place in Liverpool starting XI
Nat Phillips left Bolton’s academy after securing a scholarship at the University of North Carolina to study economics.
Few days before beginning a new chapter of his life, Liverpool swooped in and offered him a place in their academy.
Liverpool already boast of Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, and Joel Matip as centre backs. The trio are ahead of Phillip in the Anfield pecking order.
However, Phillips still harbours ambitions of breaking into Liverpool’s starting XI. He is banking on his experience of playing abroad.
“I think what I’ve done this season has done nothing but help me, but it’s important to remain level-headed, one step at a time and do things the right way.
“It’s not like I’m going to be coming back saying I should be playing Champions League football, that’s not realistic, but I feel like so far this year I have done enough to think ‘right, what’s the next step?’ with the end goal of one day playing for Liverpool.
“How long that will take, or what route it will take, I couldn’t tell you right now. But you can guarantee with me it’ll be strange circumstances,” he told Goal in January, he told Goal.
Since Klopp is reportedly ready to listen to offers for him, he might not be considered as an integral part of the team.
With the departure of of Dejan Lovren, Klopp might want to hold on to the defender, pending the time he might get a replacement.
