Manchester City’s Kalvin Phillips could be on Liverpool’s list of midfield targets during the summer transfer window.
That’s the view of former footballer and Reds fan Tony Cascarino. Writing in The Times, Cascarino outlined a couple of options for Jurgen Klopp, with Phillips mentioned alongside the likes of Declan Rice.
“The club have been strongly linked with Jude Bellingham, but I have said before that I would rather they went for Declan Rice. Liverpool are more in need of a player like Rice, who sits in front of the back four and does the ugly side of the game well,” said the pundit.
“Should Arsenal fail in their pursuit of Brighton’s Moises Caicedo this month, he would be an option again in the summer, or they could even consider Kalvin Phillips at Manchester City.”
Phillips not an option for Liverpool
Looking at this quartet of options, there’s little doubt which would be the least popular amongst fans.
It isn’t that Phillips is a bad player. Liverpool were linked pretty strongly with him when he was gearing up to leave Leeds United last year. He’s proven himself at Premier League and international level and was ready for the next step.
In the end, he ended up joining City for around £45m. Despite his qualities, that felt steep at the time. The intervening months have only gone to confirm that, as Phillips struggles to get going in Manchester.
Three Premier League appearances is a pitiful number for such an expensive signing. Phillips’ injury record alone should deter Liverpool from any kind of interest in him.
On the other hand, the three players Cascarino mentions alongside the 27-year-old are all viable options.
Bellingham is obviously the dream signing for Liverpool and their supporters. But either of Rice or Caicedo would be able alternatives to the Borussia Dortmund man.
Reds fans will hope that one will be in addition to instead of Bellingham. With Caicedo looking set to be blocked from leaving Brighton today, he should be a realistic target. Rice is another who is likely to be on the market.
So, in this list, Phillips is very much the odd one out. City are unlikely to let the England international go as it is. But if they do, it shouldn’t be to Liverpool.
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