According to talkSPORT, Liverpool are in a four-way transfer battle to sign Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips in January and is on the club’s shortlist in their pursuit to improve the defensive role in the centre of the pitch.
The summer transfer window was successful in so many areas for Liverpool and has seen a huge injection of energy in midfield following the signing of Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Wataru Endo.
However, it is largely felt that the defensive midfield role once occupied by Fabinho has not been adequately filled, despite former Stuttgart captain Endo joining the club in the dying days of the transfer window.
The 30-year-old is the only new addition that hasn’t cemented himself as a trusted first-team regular – averaging just 46 minutes per game over his 12 appearances for the Reds so far in all competitions.
As a result, it will come as no surprise to supporters that the club are being linked to midfielders with experience and the right profile to add depth to the defensive role in the centre of the pitch.
talkSPORT transfer expert Alex Crook has revealed today that Liverpool have identified and shortlisted Man City outcast Kalvin Phillips as a potential option in the upcoming January window, but will have competition for his signature from other Premier League clubs.
Newcastle United, Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur are all reported to be keen on snapping up Phillips’ services when the transfer market re-opens in the coming weeks ahead and the Leeds-born midfielder is a player the Merseyside giants have had on their radar since the summer.
Will Liverpool sign Kalvin Phillips?
There is no doubt that adding depth to the defensive midfield role will be one of the main priorities for the Reds in January should the opportunity arise to secure another midfield signing.
Indeed, the England international has the experience and clear talent to offer something new to the deep-lying role at Anfield, however, his injury record and lack of game-time at the Etihad will be a major concern.
Liverpool are no strangers to injury prone midfielders with Naby Keita and Thiago Alcantara spending the majority of their contracts in recovery from various injury issues, and there is a huge risk once again of signing a player who can’t offer the reliability and availability needed in the Liverpool squad.
The 27-year-old has managed just seven appearances in all competitions this season for Pep Guardiola’s side, but has only made one feature in the starting eleven which doesn’t give Jurgen Klopp and his scouting staff much to go on when identifying as to whether Phillips will be the right fit or even able to reach the levels of intensity required under the German coach.
Despite that, England manager Gareth Southgate continues to offer the former Leeds United star minutes in the national team and looks to be a strong contender for minutes leading up to Euro 2024 and a likely candidate to make the squad next summer.
With that being said, it will be interesting as to whether anything will come from the talk surrounding a potential move for Phillips in January and what kind of deal could be possible.
A loan deal for the remaining six months of the season with an option to buy would likely be the most feasible way for Liverpool to justify the signing of the treble-winner in the new year, as it will give Klopp the opportunity to get a better understanding of what the player could offer the club and whether that would make sense in the long-term.
