Liverpool and Leeds United are now in advanced talks about the transfer of defender Nat Phillips.
That’s according to journalist Rudy Galetti, who shared more details on Twitter about the centre-back’s future.
Leeds manager Daniel Farke would have preferred to have a new defender through the doors at Elland Road before today’s match against Cardiff.
Instead, he’s seen plenty of players head out this summer with only three new incomings secured before the Championship kicked off.
For Liverpool, the majority of their business this summer has also been outgoings.
Jurgen Klopp allowed several midfielders to leave the club at the end of last season and set about rebuilding that area of the squad.
Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai have arrived, but more signings are needed.
However, another Liverpool departure looks to be on the cards with Nat Phillips getting closer to a move to Leeds United.
The 26-year-old needs to find a permanent home away from Anfield after years of sitting on the bench and being sent on loan.
Elland Road could be the perfect place to rebuild his career as they seek an immediate return to the Premier League.
Liverpool and Leeds in advanced talks over Phillips
Posting on Twitter, Galetti said: “Advanced talks between #LeedsUTD and #Liverpool for Nat #Phillips.
“The parties are discussing some details about the proposal set at ~£10m add-ons included.
“The English CB has been targeted by Leeds as one of the ideal profiles to replace #Wober, now on loan at #Gladbach.
There’s always been an expectation that Phillips would leave the club this summer.
Although Liverpool aren’t blessed with a huge number of centre-back options, Phillips is too far down the pecking order to expect regular football.
Leeds has been a potential destination for Phillips for a while this summer as soon as his Liverpool exit looked likely.
As Galetti says, with Max Wober now no longer at the club, Farke would like more cover in that role.
Liam Cooper is a brilliant defender at Championship level and between Pascal Struijk and Charlie Cresswell, he has two able deputies.
But Phillips – who has won promotion with Bournemouth in the past – could take the team up a level.
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Dream Liverpool lineup against Chelsea after Romeo Lavia signed, Ibrahima Konate’s comeback, and Luis Diaz starting
Romeo Lavia could sign in time for Liverpool’s Premier League opener at Chelsea, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll start
Liverpool’s Premier League opener is just seven days away when they take on Chelsea.
The Reds and Londoners will face each other at Stamford Bridge and both will have redemption in mind after hot campaigns last season by their own standards. Even the often high-quality encounters between the two sides have been a steamy one as no Premier League game has scored a goal.
In early July, when Dominik Szoboszlai became Liverpool’s second signing of the summer, following the arrival of Alexis Mac Allister, the rebuilding of their midfield was taking shape, prompting Jurgen Klopp choice headache.
However, four weeks later, fans are worried about a lack of movement in the transfer window, with the saga around Southampton’s Romeo Lavia buzzing. During that time, Saudi Pro League clubs Al Ittihad and Al Ettifaq dropped two key Reds midfielders Jordan Henderson and Fabinho, leaving options limited.
Time is running out for Klopp and sporting director Jorg Schmadtke to strengthen the squad before the opening whistle is sounded at 4 o’clock:
30:00 next Sunday in West London. So what will the starting lineup of the Red Devils look like?
Above all, Liverpool fans and coaches hope to be in good health before the encounter with Mauricio Pochettino’s army.
Alisson Becker is one of the names that is certain to be selected and – if not – is part of the first name on the squad list, while the defender quartet consists of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson. Konate replaces Joel Matip, who was grossly fouled in Liverpool’s penultimate pre-season friendly against Bayern Munich in Singapore. Alexander-Arnold drifting into midfield, as he did at the end of last season, was one of the main themes throughout the summer and Klopp is likely to continue this tactic against Chelsea. But who else starts in midfield?
Mac Allister raised concerns after hobbling off the field during the break in the 4-3 loss to Bayern, but with Klopp having dealt with the issue, let’s hope the World Cup winner comes out. Premier League pitch for the Red Devils. The same can be said of his summer companion, Szoboszlai.
The midfield role or the number 6 position has been a topic of discussion since Fabinho’s departure. The famous story surrounding Lavia saw Liverpool have two offers rejected by the Saints.
Ideally, the puzzle would be solved and the Belgium international would sign a contract this week, but given the lack of preparation time, it wouldn’t make sense to think he would also make his debut.
Curtis Jones has featured prominently in the middle of a three-man midfield this summer and he is more than capable of filling that position while Lavia sits on the bench.
From a problem area to an embarrassment of riches, Klopp has another big decision to make as to who will make up his front trio. Will Darwin Nunez, who is in full swing preparing for the season, get the green light? Or should Cody Gakpo continue in ninth place? And who will replace him on the left side of the attacking force? These are all valid questions.
Luis Diaz made an almost immediate impact off the bench when he made a graceful move, which he showed in his half, against Bayern. Diogo Jota has also shown his ability in pre-season, but with Chelsea’s full-backs, Diaz could cause bigger problems. And Jota has the ability to make an impact off the bench.
Gakpo should take the lead. His role in the goal against Thomas Tuchel’s side on Wednesday could be a scheme to unlock Chelsea’s defence on Sunday. The Dutchman can tackle the space left by Roberto Firmino, plus the deadly quality and pace of Diaz and Mohamed Salah behind him, he is an enchanting attacking force that can cause an number of problems for Pochettino’s backline.
Liverpool’s dream squad against Chelsea:
Alisson; Alexandre-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; MacAllister, Jones, Szoboszlai; Salah, Gakpo, Diaz.
