Liverpool are reportedly considering a bid for Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips – but Jurgen Klopp could struggle to convince the player to move to Anfield.
Phillips, 27, has won four trophies since swapping Leeds United for City in a £50m move last summer – including both the Champions League and Premier League.
But he has struggled to have a major impact since arriving at the Etihad, managing only 21 appearances for the club – the majority of which have come from the bench.
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A shoulder injury ruled him out for several months last season and City boss Pep Guardiola admitted in April that Phillips had failed to adapt to his style of play when explaining his lack of minutes on the pitch.
Phillips was an unused substitute in City's first three matches of the new season, leading to speculation he could leave this summer.
talkSPORT journalist Alex Crook claims Liverpool are considering a bid for the England international as Jurgen Klopp searches for more midfield reinforcements.
"Kalvin Phillips is a player Liverpool looked at before he went from Leeds to Man City, and we know it’s been a tough window for Liverpool in terms of target they’ve missed out on," said Crook.
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"Phillips is someone who is proven in the Premier League, he got that £50million move to City on the back of a really good European Championship for England, and we've got a Euros at the end of the season.
"I think at the start of the season Phillips wanted to stay and fight for his place at Man City, but he was on the bench with a load of kids at the weekend and he isn’t going to force his way into that team.
"Surely if he wants to play for England at the Euros, this would be a great move for him. It's one to keep an eye on from now until the end of the window."
Klopp has previously expressed his admiration for Phillips and said he had a special plan to stop the midfielder when Liverpool beat Leeds 3-0 in the Premier League in 2021.
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"Our idea was to cut out Phillips, which is important, and to cut out the passes they want to play to find him in the centre and that takes out a bit of their game plan," said Klopp.
However, the German could struggle to convince Phillips to move to Anfield, with the midfielder seemingly determined to stay and fight for spot in City's starting XI.
"My intention is to stay. We have just won the treble, so there is no reason for me to leave, other than if I am not playing I will obviously have to think about it," he said last month.
"I cannot give it 12 months and say: 'I am not playing so I am going to leave.' As you have seen with many players at City, it can take quite a while to cement yourself into the team."
Featured Image Credit: GettyTopics: Liverpool, Kalvin Phillips, Football, Premier League, Transfers, Manchester City