Liverpool To Bring Back Cult Figure For Pre-Season

Liverpool defender Nat Phillips will return to Melwood for the duration of pre-season.

Phillips spent the 2021/22 campaign on loan at Bournemouth in the Championship and made 18 appearances for the Cherries as they were promoted back to the Premier League after two seasons away.

Despite Liverpool expecting bids to come in for the Englishman this summer, Jurgen Klopp is prepared to welcome him back for pre-season. 

The 25-year-old gained cult hero status at Anfield in the 2020/21 season as he was thrust into the first-team as a result of a series of defensive injuries.

He generally performed well for the Reds as he helped them achieve a top four finish.

Of the 24 appearances Phillips has made for Liverpool, 20 of them came in that season, scoring once.

He played largely alongside youngster Rhys Williams as the likes of Virgil Van Dijk, Joel Matip and Joe Gomez suffered from long-term injuries. 

However, the signing of Ibrahima Konate from RB Leipzig last summer saw the former Stuttgart man drop down the pecking order at the club.

This resulted in his move to Bournemouth, who are said to be interested in acquiring him permanently.

Now, Klopp is set to welcome the defender back into the first team as the German prepares his side for the 2022/23 season. Although Goal report that Phillips is still likely to depart Merseyside this summer, he should get a few opportunities for a final swansong in a Reds shirt. 

Liverpool are understood to be demanding somewhere in the region of £12 million for the cult-hero, and he has plenty of suitors in England and Germany after impressing in his loan spells at both Bournemouth and Stuttgart.

Phillips is not the only player expected to leave the North West club this summer.

Fellow cult hero Divock Origi is on the verge of joining AC MIlan on a free transfer, while Takumi Minamino, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Neco Williams are all available on the market.