Report: Liverpool set to take a late call on loaning out defensive duo

Liverpool to take a late call on loaning out Sepp van den Berg and Nathaniel Phillips

According to GOAL (h/t Liverpool Echo), Liverpool is planning to wait before taking a call on sending centre-backs Sepp van den Berg and Nathaniel Phillips out on loan. This is largely owing to the mini-injury crisis in defence.

Ibrahima Konate is still recovering from an injury that he picked in pre-season while Joel Matip will also be absent for two weeks. With Joe Gomez also fit enough to only take the bench last Monday, Virgil van Dijk remains the lone centre-back at 100 per cent.

Phillips and Van den Berg are being retained to provide cover for the first-choice centre-backs. The former started alongside Van Dijk against Crystal Palace.

Next for Phillips and Sepp

Both players have garnered interest from Championship clubs, with Phillips also on AFC Bournemouth and Fulham’s radars. But given concerns over the fitness of current centre-backs, it is a good move by the club to prepare for any eventuality.

Phillips did a good job against Palace, up until he was replaced by Gomez, who excelled himself. With an ever-growing injury list troubling Klopp, he is well within his rights to stay prepared.

The Dutchman won’t be guaranteed game-time at Liverpool, and also play spoilsport to any valuable loan opportunities. The 20-year-old is coming off a very successful loan spell at Preston North End. He will hope to emulate the same for Liverpool, given any opportunity.

The Dutchman was an unused substitute in both games against Fulham and Crystal Palace. He would hope to get some game time soon in cup ties.

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Liverpool play Manchester United at Old Trafford next, followed by Bournemouth and Newcastle United at home. Hopefully, we will not face any more injury setbacks in these ties.