Forgotten Liverpool ace could be offered transfer escape after glowing Jürgen Klopp tribute
The change in manager at Anfield this summer could mean a fresh start for several Liverpool players. After months of speculation over who will replace Jürgen Klopp, it appears Arne Slot is the man to lead the new era.
The Dutchman will run the rule over the squad he inherits and make some big decisions over the futures of several important figures. Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk will all be out of contract in a year's time and Liverpool will be reluctant to let the trio enter the final 12 months of their deals.
Another player who will be a free agent in 2025 is defender Nat Phillips, who is almost a forgotten man at Anfield. The 27-year-old is currently on loan with Championship side Cardiff City.
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Phillips, who started the season at Celtic, has not featured for the Reds since appearing as a substitute in the FA Cup win over Wolves in January 2023. He admits he doesn't know what the future holds past the end of this campaign.
"There's a lot of change going on at Liverpool so there's a lot up in the air there," he said recently (via Wales Online). "I've enjoyed my time here, I've enjoyed playing regularly. I want to continue playing regular football and enjoying my football."
A return to Cardiff has not been ruled out but The Mirror reports Leeds is also monitoring the defender. It is unclear if promotion back to the Premier League would alter Leeds' transfer plans.
Phillips' most-prominent season in the Liverpool first-team came during the 2020/21 campaign amid an injury crisis. He featured 20 times in all competitions before joining Bournemouth in the following season. Klopp lauded the defender for his efforts, saying (via The Daily Echo): "He deserves this move so much. He was incredibly reliable and a great figure here."
Klopp also thanked Phillips and fellow defender Rhys Williams when Liverpool reached the Champions League final in 2022. He told Sky Sports: "We wouldn't be there without them. I remember the final game of last season and they left the pitch with a bandage around the head, cuts on their faces, and that was really a symbol for the whole period. We went through on one leg, with one eye. It was incredible."
Liverpool.com says: Nobody will forget Phillips' role in the 2020/21 season as Liverpool faced a raft of injuries in defense. He stepped up to the plate and Klopp clearly holds him in high regard. While Slot will want to take a look at all of his options, it does appear that Phillips' future will be best served elsewhere. Should Leeds come in, and get promoted, he may get another crack at the Premier League.