Nat Phillips will be spending the rest of the season away from Liverpool on loan after they reportedly reached a verbal agreement with a surprise suitor.
Phillips rose to prominence last season in the absence of Liverpool’s injured senior centre-backs. He finished the season with 20 appearances in all competitions, which will have been beyond his wildest dreams.
This season, though, Phillips has been fifth-choice following the returns to fitness of Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip and Joe Gomez, plus the summer signing of Ibrahima Konate.
In fact, Phillips is yet to manage a single minute of Premier League action in 2021-22. It has prompted a number of other clubs in the division to consider swooping for him.
West Ham were linked, for example, as were Newcastle. Watford also had an approach turned down.
But Phillips will be getting his exit from Liverpool on temporary terms after all, it seems. In an unexpected twist, though, he will be dropping down to the Championship.
As reported by the respected Paul Joyce of The Times, Bournemouth want to take Phillips on loan for the rest of the season. They will pay Liverpool a loan fee and guarantee the defender regular gametime.
Bournemouth are currently pushing for promotion from the Championship. Adding a player of Phillips’ ability could help their charge, even though he has never played in the English second tier.
And with his contract at Liverpool lasting until 2025, it could be beneficial for all parties.
Fabrizio Romano has picked up on the news and claims there is now a verbal agreement between the two clubs. All that remains is for Phillips to accept Bournemouth’s personal terms.
Nat Phillips in double Bournemouth move
He is not the only Liverpool player Bournemouth are looking at, either. The Cherries also want to sign full-back Neco Williams.
Williams is keen on securing a loan move in order to gain more first-team action.
The 20-year-old has made just one league appearance so far this campaign, and is unlikely to make many more.
Williams is also hoping a move will help him cement a position in the Wales international squad ahead of March’s World Cup qualifier.
Wales face Austria on March 24 in a must-win fixture as they bid for a spot at Qatar 2022.
However, Williams is concerned his lack of football will lose him his place in the squad.
Dropping down to the Championship with fellow academy graduate Phillips may be beneficial.
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