Jurgen Klopp has given the green light for Ragnar Klavan to quit Liverpool due to the potential of rising star Nathaniel Phillips, according to David Maddock.
The Mirror journalist reported on his personal Twitter account on Friday morning that Klopp has high hopes for centre-back rookie Phillips, who is yet to play for the senior side.
Maddock explained that Klopp regards the centre-back as having “big potential” and is “keen to encourage and develop him” as Klavan puts the finishing touches to a £1.7million transfer to Cagliari.
Klopp sanctioned move for Klavan to Cagliari, despite injuries to Lovren and Matip, because of strong desire to offer route into squad for young players. Nat Phillips has big potential and #LFC boss keen to encourage and develop him.
— David Maddock (@MaddockMirror) August 17, 2018
OPINION
Selling Klavan is a logical move for Liverpool even though the 32-year-old has done a solid job since joining from Augsburg two years ago. The Merseysiders are well stocked for senior centre-backs, even though Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip are rehabilitating from injuries sustained at the World Cup and in March respectively. With Virgil van Dijk the established defensive leader and Joe Gomez showing promising signs in the demolition of West Ham and in pre-season after moving across from right-back, the chances of Klavan getting much game time were remote. Far better for Liverpool to invest in a youngster who Klopp rates highly and has the potential to play for the first team. It will be a huge boost to the 21-year-old’s confidence that the manager believes in him. Phillips has yet to play for the senior side after spending most of his time in the Under-23s since joining from Bolton two years ago. But that now looks about to change as the manager takes him under his wing in the same way as he did with Gomez, Trent Alexander-Arnold and others.