Jurgen Klopp hints at January exit for Nat Phillips

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has suggested that Nat Phillips could be allowed to leave Anfield during the January transfer window.

The 24-year-old was an important player for the Reds last term amid their defensive injuries, making 20 appearances in all competitions, including 17 outings in the Premier League.

However, Phillips has only featured on two occasions during the 2021-22 campaign, while he has not played a single minute of Premier League football this season.

Klopp has said that Liverpool "cannot keep him forever" and has hinted that the Englishman could be on the move in January in search of regular action.

"I have to mention Nat Phillips," Klopp told reporters. "People often ask me which player made the biggest improvements under my leadership, and I say Robert Lewandowski.

"That's probably right, but not far off that is Nat Phillips, just in a completely different department. I remember when I saw Nat Phillips first. I spoke to him after the game and he's one of the smartest players I ever worked with. I told him, 'You know you are not the easiest on the eye, eh?'

"He improved in pretty much everything since, and he's not playing. Life is sometimes not fair and I can't blame him. We cannot keep him forever, that's clear. We needed him, just to be safe, for that half-year. We will see what happens in the window. He was fine doing it because he's a great guy.

"His development is absolutely insane. You saw it last year, you would have said 'Nat Phillips, oh my god, he plays in the last line?' People love him because of his heading but with his feet he is unbelievable. He's a late starter, but his development is unbelievable. I would sign him for any club except Liverpool, because we have him."

Phillips still has three-and-a-half years left to run on his contract at Anfield.