Liverpool are still potentially eyeing up a summer move for Manchester City and England midfielder Kalvin Phillips, according to a fresh update regarding his future.
The 27-year-old made the move to City from Leeds United last summer, at which point it felt like a logical next step in his blossoming career.
Phillips may have been part of a squad that won the treble in 2022/23, but he didn’t play a big part in their success, with injuries getting in the way, as well as simply not being selected by Pep Guardiola at times.
The former Leeds man made just two starts in the Premier League in total, and this time around, he is also yet to feature for a minute in the opening couple of matches.
Liverpool have been linked with a move for Phillips recently, seeing him as a possible option to bring in and strengthen their midfield, and now a new update has emerged.
Speaking on Kick [via The Boot Room], journalist Fabrizio Romano claimed that the England international is still seen as a target for the Reds, but that a switch is unlikely:
“Liverpool started the conversation to be informed on the situation of another player, who is Kalvin Phillips.
“It’s true that Liverpool asked about the situation of Kalvin Phillips because the priority of the player has always been to stay at Manchester City and fight for his place at City.
“But then, at the moment, there is no concrete negotiation club to club.”
Our thoughts on Liverpool’s interest in Phillips…
Phillips is clearly an excellent player, having become a key man for England, when fit, and excelling alongside Declan Rice at times in the middle of the park.
It is hard to see City selling him to Liverpool, though, even if it is a loan move, considering they would be moving him to a direct Premier League rival.
While Phillips has the fitness levels and technical ability to shine in a Reds midfield – he averaged three tackles per match in the EFL Cup last season – he does turn 28 later this year, so he wouldn’t be seen as a long-term signing.
There is also the small matter of the Englishman’s injury problems, which have become a real issue, and Liverpool cannot afford to sign another player who could be sidelined for large periods.
If Phillips was suddenly a late addition at Anfield, he would certainly have the potential to be a success story, but it feels like there are younger, superior options out there now, such as Crystal Palace’s Cheick Doucoure and possibly even Bayern Munich’s Ryan Gravenberch.
