Revealed: Liverpool plan to recall Nat Phillips from Celtic
Liverpool are set to recall centre-back Nat Phillips from Celtic in January, sources have told Football Insider.
The 26-year-old joined the Parkhead club on an initial four-month loan deal in the summer window – and there is an option to extend his stay for the season.
However, Liverpool are not expected to trigger that option and Phillips is set to head back to his parent club in the new year.
Phillips has struggled to establish himself at Celtic under ex-Reds boss Brendan Rodgers.
The Bolton-born stopper has managed just eight appearances across all competitions for the Hoops – with only half of those outings coming as part of the starting eleven.
Phillips’ most recent appearance came in the 2-1 Scottish Premiership loss against Kilmarnock last week (10 December).
It is believed Liverpool are also keen to bring him back to Anfield as they search for centre-back cover in the wake of Joel Matip’s season-ending anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez are also options in the heart of the defence but have also struggled with fitness problems this season.
Phillips has only turned out for the Reds 29 times at senior level, with the majority of those appearances coming in the 2020-21 campaign.
The 26-year-old, alongside Rhys Williams, came into Jurgen Klopp’s senior squad in that season as an emergency backup amid an injury crisis at Anfield.
He is under contract on Merseyside until June 2025.
Liverpool sit top of the Premier League after 16 games and ahead of their clash with Man United on Sunday (17 December).
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