Liverpool were reportedly interested in signing Blackburn Rovers teenager Ashley Phillips before Tottenham won the race for the centre-back’s signature.
90min claim that the Reds were one of a handful of Premier League clubs interested in signing the England youth international. However, Tottenham ultimately won the race for Phillips at a bargain price of just £3m, beating the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United and Newcastle United.
Lauded by Football Transfers as a ‘sensation’, Phillips was one of the breakout stars in the Championship last season as the 18-year-old made 14 senior appearances for Blackburn in all competitions, with the defender also establishing himself as a regular for England’s U-19s.
At 6’4″, Phillips is a towering centre-back who has earned comparisons to Virgil van Dijk thanks to his impressive pace and silky passing range. And for Liverpool, the defender could have been a dream player to potentially replace the Dutchman in the coming years.
Indeed, Phillips could have been a natural fit for Liverpool this summer. Yet with the Reds looking at senior targets and Tottenham willing to take their time with prospects, a move to north London might have been the better fit for the teenager this window.
Liverpool will soon live to regret not beating Tottenham to Phillips
Tottenham have landed themselves a bargain in Phillips at £3m, and for Liverpool, they could soon live to regret not pushing as hard as they should have for the Blackburn talent, who with the right training and development could become a superstar in the Premier League.
The 18-year-old already has all the tools needed to become a regular at a top English side, and for Liverpool, missing out on Phillips to Tottenham could sting in the years to come if the defender catches fire and begins to find form in the top-flight.
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