"It's true" - Fabrizio Romano confirms Liverpool have made contact over shock deal for Kalvin Phillips

Fabrizio Romano confirmed Liverpool have made contact with Manchester City regarding the services of Kalvin Phillips.

Despite the summer arrivals of Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Wataru Endo, the most glaring weakness in the Liverpool squad is in midfield.

Indeed, Fabinho and Jordan Henderson both departed to Saudi Arabia last month, while the likes of Naby Keita, James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all left the Reds in June upon the expiry of their contracts.

Liverpool’s lack of depth in midfield is not for the want of trying. The Reds had agreed a British transfer record fee of £111million with Brighton for Moises Caicedo only for the player to choose Chelsea over the Merseyside club.

Then Southampton 19-year-old midfielder Romeo Lavia also decided to join the Blues over Jurgen Klopp’s side.

The transfer setbacks have forced the Liverpool hierarchy to have a major rethink, with England and City star Phillips reportedly being targeted by the club at present.

The 27-year-old departed Leeds for City last summer for a fee of £45million but has seen very little game time in his first season at the Etihad.

On the matter transfer guru Romano confirmed to Kick that Liverpool had approached City concerning a possible move for Phillips.

However, the midfielder is reportedly keen to stay at the Etihad and fight for his place in Pep Guardiola’s side.

Romano said: “Liverpool started the conversation to be informed on the situation of another player, who is Kalvin Phillips.

“It’s true that Liverpool asked about the situation of Kalvin Phillips because the priority of the player has always been to stay at Manchester City and fight for his place at City.

“But then, at the moment, there is no concrete negotiation club to club.”

However, The Athletic claimed Liverpool don’t intend to recruit another specialist No 6 this summer.

With Stefan Bajcetic returning from five months out injured, the teenager has reportedly been viewed as a suitable alternative to Endo.