Despite standing out during that run, Phillips has remained on Merseyside’s periphery and spent the previous season on loan at Bournemouth. Last summer’s permanent transfer fell through when Liverpool elected to keep the center-half, but Phillips is about to be given the go-ahead to look for employment elsewhere.
The Athletic reports that Phillips will probably go out on loan from Liverpool before Friday. The story goes on to say that this summer, the Reds were willing to let Phillips leave either temporarily or permanently.
Following a year of sitting from the sidelines, Phillips, who is behind players like Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, and Joe Gomez in the Liverpool pecking order, is ‘desperate’ to play regular first-team football and has suitors in the Championship, including Middlesbrough.
According to reports, Phillips came very near to leaving Liverpool both in the summer and during the winter transfer window, but the team decided against it because of defensive injuries. Phillips was mentioned in connection with both Newcastle and West Ham in January.
After turning to Phillips on several occasions, Klopp is known to be a great supporter of the defender, and the Reds boss frequently sings the defender’s praises.
Speaking at the time, Klopp praised Phillips and Rhys Williams, another defender who was used throughout the 2020–21 season, for their “incredible” performances following their selection.
