Liverpool defender Nat Phillips could return to Bournemouth on loan ahead of the new campaign – though it has been claimed that the Reds are still undecided over his future at Anfield.
The 25-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan at the Cherries, playing a huge role in the club’s promotion back to the Premier League.
During the 2020/21 campaign, Phillips emerged as a key figure for his parent club as they were dealt with a blight of injuries at centre-back and he forged a vital partnership with Rhys Williams which led the Reds to a third-place finish to seal Champions League football.
As the Reds prepared for the final of the prestigious tournament, Jurgen Klopp made it his business to thank the duo as it wouldn’t have been possible without them, but nonetheless, it does seem that the Englishman’s immediate future may lie elsewhere.
Noted insider ExWHUemployee has been discussing the latest on Phillips’ future on The Transfer Show.
Does Phillips have a future at the Reds?
Yes
No
He said: “Liverpool are also sort of weighing up what they’re going to do with Nat Phillips.
“The defender that West Ham were quite heavily linked with in January looks like he might go back to Bournemouth again for another loan now that they’re in the Premier League, so that’s an interesting one.”
TIF Thoughts on Phillips leaving…
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With West Ham closing in on Moroccan centre-back Nayef Aguerd, they are perhaps unlikely to return for Phillips, but you would suspect that there will be interest on the south coast again.
The Bolton-born defender was pivotal to the Cherries’ promotion push last term, becoming Scott Parker’s trusted partner for captain Lloyd Kelly.
He played every minute of all but one of the side’s last 18 Championship games, having joined on loan on Deadline Day in January.
A report from The Mirror suggested that the Merseysiders were preparing to sell the £7.2m-rated academy graduate, but that they are now open to another loan deal which would see Bournemouth pay a fee, so perhaps something can be worked out between the two parties and Phillips can gain further top-flight experience.