If a recent report from The Sun is believed to be true, Newcastle United are keeping close tabs on Liverpool centre-back Nat Phillips over a potential summer transfer. They, however, are not alone in the hunt with Burnley tipped to rival the Magpies in order to bolster their backline ahead of the upcoming term.
While the Clarets are prioritizing a £10m move for Nottingham Forest’s Joe Worrall, Phillips’ future at Liverpool is yet to be decided following the arrival of Ibrahima Konate from RB Leipzig. He was supposed to join Swansea City in the autumn, but the failed move turned out to be a blessing in disguise for the 24-year-old who has now earned a cult status at Merseyside.
Phillips took charge of the Reds’ defence in an extraordinary scenario when Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip all got ruled out for the season with their respective injury concerns. Jurgen Klopp was preferring the midfield duo of Fabinho and skipper Jordan Henderson as his central defensive pairing, but the latter’s groin strain left the gaffer with no choice but to deploy the former Bolton Wanderers youngster in the heart of the backline alongside winter recruit (on loan from Schalke) Ozan Kabak. Fabinho was restored in his usual midfield role and the shake-up proved to be a masterstroke.
Why Newcastle United Should Go For Phillips
Newcastle, meanwhile, have ample defensive options in their ranks. Skipper Jamaal Lascelles, Federico Fernandez, Ciaran Clark, Paul Dummett and Fabian Schar all played their part in Steve Bruce’s ‘back three’ and the Tynesiders, fighting for survival at one stage, secured an impressive 12th-placed league finish.
Having said that, injuries refrained the gaffer from building a stable backline. The decision of roping in a younger name makes sense as it is the need of the hour to avoid a similar crisis next term and the Magpies, therefore, should be submitting a lucrative offer for the emerging talent before other suitors register their interest.
Phillips has his limitations, but his determination, tenacity and concentration earned him the limelight during the final few fixtures. His aerial supremacy, goal-line clearances as well as no-nonsense defending helped Liverpool secure a Champions League berth against the odds.
Liverpool have not made Kabak’s move permanent, whereas Ben Davies, the other winter inclusion, would be assessed during pre-season. He is yet to make his debut following a surprise switch from Preston North End and might feature sporadically as the fifth-choice behind Van Dijk, Konate, Gomez and Matip. Phillips deserves a starting status after this season’s heroics and Newcastle, thus, must step up the chase to wrap up the deal.
