Liverpool Have Reduced Their Asking Price For This Defender: What Should Be Klopp’s Play? | OneFootball

In a recent report, The Daily Express revealed that Liverpool have reduced their asking price for Nathaniel Phillips. It has been claimed that the Reds have lowered their £15m price tag to £10m as they are hoping to sell the defender before the end of this transfer window.

Phillips’ Decent Campaign In The Premier League

Phillips had a decent loan spell at Bournemouth last season when he managed to produce a few dominant defensive displays for them at the back. The English centre-back made 17 appearances for the Cherries in the previous campaign on all fronts.

The Bolton-born talent managed to help Bournemouth secure a strong second-place finish in the English Championship earlier this year. Phillips performed well to average 0.8 tackles, 1.5 interceptions and 4.1 clearances per 90 minutes in EFL Championship. He was even tidy when distributing the ball from the back, as evidenced by his pass completion rate of 81.9% in league football (stats via whoscored).

Referee Andre Marriner (L) stops play for Liverpool’s English defender Nathaniel Phillips to receive treatment during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Crystal Palace at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on May 23, 2021. (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

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What Should Be Liverpool Boss Jurgen Klopp’s Play With Regards Phillips?

Phillips can be a rock at the back when he is getting to experience regular first-team football on the field. He is a solid tackler of the ball and can make some important interceptions at the back as well.

The English defensive ace usually clears the danger when required and can use his strong 1.90m frame to dominate the opposition in the air. He is a good passer of the ball as well.

However, Phillips is currently on the fringes of Jurgen Klopp‘s squad at Anfield as he has fallen behind Virgil Van Dijk, Joel Matip, Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez in Liverpool‘s pecking order. Therefore, it is only fair to the player if the Reds allow him to leave permanently before the end of this summer transfer window.

At 25, Phillips’ best years are ahead of him but would struggle to get any meaningful playing time if he stays with the Merseyside club beyond this summer. With all things considered, Klopp should consider cutting the English defender loose this month as he is currently well-stocked in the defensive department.