According to a report from Liverpool Echo, it has been suggested that a potential transfer is still on the table for Kalvin Phillips, despite the midfielder’s current association with Manchester City, a prominent Premier League competitor of Liverpool. This move would align with the player’s goals, as he aims to secure consistent playing time in preparation for the 2024 European Championships.
Alex Crook, the Chief Football Correspondent, mentioned, “Kalvin Phillips is someone Liverpool considered before he moved from Leeds to Manchester City. It’s clear that Liverpool has faced challenges in this transfer window, missing out on some of their targets.”
Phillips’ Disappointing First Season At Manchester City
Throughout his inaugural season at the Etihad Stadium, Phillips encountered difficulties securing a consistent spot in Pep Guardiola’s starting lineup, resulting in infrequent appearances in the Premier League. Despite his proven abilities from his time at Leeds United, he managed a mere 21 games for Manchester City across various competitions.
His participation mostly occurred as a substitute, which accounts for his comparatively modest averages of 0.5 tackles, 0.4 interceptions, and 0.7 clearances per match in Premier League matches. Nevertheless, he deserves recognition for his accurate passing, as he achieved an impressive 92.6% success rate in completed passes in the top-flight English league (statistics via whoscored).
The English midfielder’s existing contract at the Etihad Stadium is set to run until the summer of 2028, implying that Manchester City might not be in a rush to let him go. As a result, this could pose a challenge for Liverpool in their attempts to orchestrate a transfer for him in the current off-season.
Should Liverpool Boss Jurgen Klopp Make Contact?
Phillips is a resilient and tenacious midfielder, who demonstrates remarkable awareness when it comes to recovering possession for his team in the midfield zone. He isn’t hesitant to clear potential threats and displays commendable passing skills. While he exhibits a keen sense of playmaking, particularly in initiating attacks for his teammates in the opposing half, Phillips acknowledges the need to enhance his contributions in the offensive department to have a greater impact on the team’s forward progress.
Nonetheless, Phillips has encountered difficulties during his time at Manchester City, facing injuries and struggling to establish himself as a consistent starter. These circumstances lead to questions about whether he is presently the best fit for City’s setup.
Yet, it’s important to note that Phillips maintains a high level of talent and substantial potential. His aptitude for winning possession and distributing the ball, coupled with his capability to advance it forward, could position him as a valuable asset for the Anfield club. The Reds are actively seeking to reinforce their midfield even though they brought in Wataru Endo last week, this makes Phillips’ profile an intriguing option for Jurgen Klopp. However, engineering a move this late in the transfer window could cost the Merseyside club a significant transfer sum, which could pose an obstacle in the transfer.
