Klopp revisits Phillips transfer plan after Liverpool suffer double blow

21 August 2023 , 12:51

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Klopp revisits Phillips transfer plan after Liverpool suffer double blow

Liverpool are weighing up a move to sign out-of-favour Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips – after missing out on other midfield targets.

The Reds agreed a £110million deal with Brighton to sign Moises Caicedo but the midfielder instead joined Chelsea, where Romeo Lavia also ended up after prolonged interest from the Merseyside club.

Jurgen Klopp did complete the signing of Japan international captain Wataru Endo from Stuttgart but they are still light on midfield numbers after the exits of Fabinho, Jordan Henderson, Naby Keita, James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in this transfer window.

While the Reds have also been linked to Bayern Munich’s Ryan Gravenberch and Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat, those two players are also being monitored by other clubs – including Manchester United.

Things have not exactly gone to plan for Phillips since he joined City from Leeds a year ago; the midfielder started just four games across all competitions last season and played just 290 minutes – the equivalent of three full matches – across the entirety of the Premier League campaign.

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A report in talkSPORT outlines how Liverpool have reignited their interest in the England international. The Reds held an interest in Phillips earlier this summer and may now formalise that interest, with Klopp having previously spoken of his admiration for the holding midfielder.

Following the Reds' 3-0 win over Leeds in September 2021, Klopp revealed shutting down Phillips was central to his game plan in Liverpool's comfortable success at Elland Road. Speaking at the time, the German said: "Our idea was to cut out Phillips, which is important, and to cut out the passes they want to play to find him in the centre and that takes out a bit of their game plan."

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Phillips may leave Man City before the close of the transfer window (Getty Images)

Meanwhile, Steve McManaman has already given his backing to Liverpool’s hopes of signing Phillips – who will be desperate to enjoy more game-time this time round. He described how the 27-year-old has the perfect profile for Klopp’s squad.

The former Reds and City winger explained earlier this summer: "If Liverpool lose Fabinho, then I believe that Kalvin’s name would come into the mix. He's English, he’s an England international, he plays in that role and I don’t believe that Manchester City would expect a club to break the bank for him.

"There may be a deal there to pursue and if Jurgen Klopp is to lose a defensive midfielder this summer, then a move for Kalvin could certainly be an option, but it all depends on whether Manchester City would be willing to let him go to a Premier League rival."

Colin Millar