Liverpool eye move for Man City outcast Kalvin Phillips

Liverpool have turned to Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips in their search for midfield reinforcements.

According to talkSPORT, the Reds are considering a move for Phillips after failing to sign Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia.

The Merseyside club came into the summer transfer window needing to sign midfielders ahead of the new season.

Their need for midfielders was made even more urgent by the departures of Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, Naby Keita, James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. 

The Reds agreed deals with Southampton for Caicedo and Lavia, but Chelsea scuppered their hopes of signing both players.

Liverpool have since signed Wataru Endo from VfB Stuttgart for £16.2 million, but they need to add one more holding midfielder to their squad.

They now have their sights set on Phillips, who has struggled for game time since joining Man City from Leeds United in a big-money move last summer.

Injuries have not helped Phillips’ consistency and he is behind first-choice holding midfielder Rodri who played around 60 games for the Premier League champions last season.

Even when City manager Pep Guardiola decided to switch to a double pivot in the middle, the Spaniard used John Stones alongside Rodri. 

Phillips has been an unused substitute in City’s two games this season, signalling that things may not change if he stays. He could seek a move away from the club after only playing 21 games.

With the 2024 European Championship on the horizon, he is looking for playing time so he can be in the England squad for the tournament.

Liverpool reportedly looked at Phillips when he was at Leeds and have him on their radar again, although City may be wary of selling to a rival.

The Reds have other targets, with the club mulling over a move for Crystal Palace midfielder Cheick Doucoure.