Liverpool are reportedly looking at a summer move for Manchester City’s fringe midfielder Kalvin Phillips as a potential replacement for the outgoing Fabinho.
Sky Sports reporter Melissa Reddy has apparently mentioned Manchester City’s Kalvin Phillips as a possible option for Liverpool to replace Fabinho, who is on the verge of leaving Liverpool after he reached an agreement on personal terms with Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad and was excluded from the Reds pre-season preparations.
So far this summer, Jurgen Klopp’s midfield revamp has gone exactly as planned. The Reds boss got rid of the deadwood with the departures of James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and Naby Keita due to expiring contracts just a few weeks ago, and he’s already replaced them with two proven top-level stars in Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai.
His transfer business has been impressive so far, but a fresh twist has surfaced over the past few days, with Fabinho flirting with a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia. Given that he’s now 29 years old, it makes sense for the Reds to cash in on his services while his stock is still relevant, especially after a down year last campaign.
Fabinho’s sale would make perfect sense on paper, but his departure would leave them without a senior defensive midfielder. For the past five years, the Brazilian enforcer has held the fort for Klopp’s outfit, but next season, that might not happen, and it would open up a serious void for Liverpool to address.
As such, Liverpool are looking at several players to fill that void. Of course, Southampton’s Romeo Lavia is a clear target, and considering he’s just been relegated with Southampton, he stands as a very highly attainable target at first glance.
However, the Saints are demanding a fee of around £50 million, which could be considered steep given he’s played just one full season at the top level, but there are also other options to consider.
One of the more senior options on Liverpool’s shortlist is Manchester City outcast, Kalvin Phillips. The England international was signed by City from Leeds United last summer for a fee in the region of £45 million.
He was brought in to challenge for Rodri’s No. 6 spot in Pep Guardiola’s system but has barely featured. To be fair, the 27-year-old did undergo shoulder surgery in September, returning just in time to head to the World Cup with England.
Phillips has failed to start a single Premier League game this season and has only been named in the starting XI twice in all competitions in what has been a very disappointing year. One bad season does not make Phillips a bad player, though.
Along with his superb passing range and great tactical awareness, he possesses a whole host of valuable qualities, including his high work rate and immense physicality. He checks virtually all of the boxes except for the one relating to his age. Indeed, Phillips has advanced beyond the age criteria of a typical Anfield signing, as he’s due to turn 28 years old in December.
Pep Guardiola’s side have been very open to selling players, even to rivals, for the right price. It remains to be seen whether City would be prepared to do the same with Phillips if Liverpool did enquire about the England international’s availability.
