Liverpool could benefit from Manchester City’s late transfer activity
The stars may be aligning for Jurgen Klopp to finish his midfield makeover at Liverpool. With Manchester City completing a deal for Wolves’ Matheus Nunes, Kalvin Phillips is expected to fall even further down the pecking order at the Etihad Stadium, which could be the cue for Liverpool to strike.
Earlier this month, it was reported that Phillips had admirers at Anfield. During the current transfer window, Klopp has already signed Alexis MacAllister, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Wataru Endo, but the German would welcome more midfield reinforcements.
Liverpool are still nursing their wounds after losing Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia in recent weeks to Chelsea. Phillips, on the other hand, could be the type of name that improves morale in the early stages of the season.
Since joining City from Leeds United last summer, the England international has failed to displace Rodri, making only 12 Premier League games in 2022/23.
The landscape in City is much the same with Rodri still at the peak of his abilities. Indeed, with the signing of Mateo Kovacic earlier this summer and Matheus Nunes threatening to provide Pep Guardiola with yet another midfield option, the competition may have intensified.
City and Wolves are said to have achieved a verbal agreement on a £47 million deal for Nunes, with Tommy Doyle leaving in a separate deal.
Guardiola has already praised Nunes, and it would not be surprising to see the 25-year-old jump ahead of Phillips in the midfield pecking order. Liverpool may be prudent to test the waters before the transfer deadline on Friday.
The losses of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho, among others, have left Klopp short of experienced midfielders. Phillips has made over 250 senior games and is a key member of Gareth Southgate’s England squad.
Liverpool’s interest for the former Leeds academy prospect is thought to have started before he joined City. Phillips was once again an unused substitute in the Sky Blues’ 2-1 victory over Sheffield United on Sunday.
Klopp and co are also said to be keeping tabs on Sofyan Amrabat, Ryan Gravenberch, and Cheick Doucoure as potential midfield targets.
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