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“Fully capable”: £15m-rated Liverpool ace addresses talks about his future

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By Aniket Rai

Transfer News: Nat Phillips reveals Liverpool talks will take place in pre-season after loan at Bournemouth

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Liverpool Echo, defender Nat Phillips revealed that talks regarding his future at Liverpool can take place in pre-season.

The Reds defender played a big role alongside Rhys Williams in our third-place finish last season. This season, however, our main defenders were back from their injury spell and the addition of Ibrahima Konate meant next to no gametime for Phillips.

And that is why the Englishman was sent out on loan to Bournemouth midway through the campaign. He helped the Cherries win promotion from the Championship and is now linked with a permanent move to the Vitality Stadium.

Nathaniel Phillips of AFC Bournemouth is challenged by Flynn Downes of Swansea City.
Nathaniel Phillips of AFC Bournemouth is challenged by Flynn Downes of Swansea City. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

The Reds apparently want £15million in exchange for his services. But all that matters for Phillips is regular playing time in the Premier League- a level he has shown he can play at during his short stint in our starting XI.

“I think we’ll talk in pre-season. The season’s just ended, it’s summer and everyone is on a break. There’s not really been any discussions so far.”

What next for Nathaniel Phillips?

Phillips, who was signed by the Reds from Bolton Wanderers’ academy back in 2016, has had loan spells at VfB Stuttgart in the past. But at 25, he could use some stability in his career and be where his talent isn’t wasted.

“I feel like I’m fully capable of playing Premier League football and every player wants to play in the Premier League. That’s my aspiration, to be playing regular football in the Premier League.”

Nathaniel Phillips of Liverpool was an important part of the team's third-place finish last season. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Nathaniel Phillips was an important part of the team’s third-place finish last season. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

The Reds don’t really have a need for Nat. As good as he can be on his day, we simply have four very good defenders in Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip, Konate, and Joe Gomez.

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But if he leaves, he would depart Anfield as a cult hero. No one will be quick to forget his contributions in a season where we needed them the most. His contract is set to expire in the summer of 2025.