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. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Journalist James Pearce expects teams to look into transfers for Nat Phillips. The Liverpool centre-half could still leave this month.
The Athletic’s James Pearce believe Nat Phillips could still be one of the transfers late in the summer window. This one isn’t over, it seems.
“I was told that Liverpool are still open to offers for Nat Phillips,” Pearce told the Red Agenda podcast. “Of course, with [Ibrahima] Konaté, they’ve got four elite centre-backs there, they’ve also got Rhys Williams as a fifth option at the moment.
“There’s been loads of interest in Nat Phillips, but no suitable offers on the table as of yet, but I think I’d expect that to change the closer we get to the deadline.”
Pearce has previously written for The Athletic that a ‘suitable offer’ would be around £15m. The next few weeks could be big, then.
Liverpool transfers: Nat Phillips
Honestly, £15m for Phillips would be a steal. We’re not entirely sure how a team hasn’t put that forward, given some of the offers in this window.
The defender proved last season that he can play successfully in a side competing for the top four. He did that while not necessarily suiting Liverpool, either – Phillips’ skillset might lend itself even better to a deeper defensive line.
But perhaps everyone is playing mind games here. After all, Phillips is currently fifth-choice at Liverpool and the Reds would likely prefer the money.
Other teams know that negotiating will be easier by the end of the window, when Liverpool can’t really afford to wait. That’s our guess, anyway, so Pearce is probably on the money when he says bids are on the way.
Though, we don’t think it’s beyond the realm of possibility that Phillips stays. Jurgen Klopp is a fan of the player he called a ‘monster’ last season and Phillips might be ideal cover as the first-choice four continue injury rehabilitation.
Ben Davies’ departure points in that direction, anyway.
The next two weeks should be telling. We’d like Phillips to stay but as fifth-choice, we’d certainly understand a sale.Liverpool have got their Premier League season underway but they’re by no means done in the transfer window. Although fans are desperate for reinforcements we’re expecting more exits first. According to Goal, Ben Woodburn is wanted by Hearts.
Ben Woodburn record breaker
21-year-old Ben Woodburn has been with the Reds since U7 level.
He rose through the ranks as a versatile forward, capable of playing anywhere across the attacking line.
In 2016 he became the youngest scorer in the club’s history when he netted against Leeds United in the League Cup.
Since then he’s been sent on a series of loan moves but each has proved fruitless.
Over pre-season he impressed the Reds’ staff with one source telling The Athletic that the player has been ‘out of this world’ in training.
Ben Woodburn want by Hearts on loan
There has been a feeling in recent weeks that the Welshman could be given a surprise chance in the first team.
This is due to his impressive performances in pre-season friendlies and his inclusion on the bench to face Norwich.
However, Goal has now reported that he is set to leave this summer.
The outlet has stated that Hearts are leading the race to sign Ben Woodburn on loan.
Given the player’s contract expires next summer both he and the club recognise how important it is for him to be getting regular first team minutes.
What RTK has to say
We hope this is true. Ben Woodburn deserves to be playing regularly somewhere and he could flourish at Hearts.
Over pre-season he gave us persistent reminders of the quality and potential he has.
Eventually he’ll realise that potential but it’ll take staying injury free and starting every week somewhere.
