The Rams are seeking to complete the acquisition of the Liverpool defender who was subject to a £4 million bid from Trabzonspor.
Derby County are looking to complete a loan deal for Liverpool defender Nat Phillips on deadline day, after making a breakthrough in their hunt of a centre-back.
Phillips has been cleared to have a medical at Pride Park, despite the fact that the defender is not presently on Arne Slot’s roster. Liverpool rejected down a £4 million offer from Trabzonspor early in the transfer season because it did not reach their £10 million value.
After the game, Klopp told Match of the Day: “He’s great, smart, intelligent, everything. He’s not particularly attractive, and he’s not Messi, but who cares?
“In the air, he is a monster!” He was fantastic. I believe everyone can imagine how nerve-racking the first game must have been after such a lengthy wait. It’s a bizarre story: three years ago, he was on his way to America for college.
“Twelve Championship teams wanted him, and it was evident to me he was leaving, which I was fine with – and it didn’t work out for whatever reason, which is terrific! Tonight he was spot on and a huge boost to the squad.”
But, arguably, Phillips’ biggest achievement was assisting Liverpool in qualifying for the Champions League in the 2020-21 season, which included a stunning 10-game unbeaten streak at the close of the season.
Liverpool’s centre-backs were decimated by injuries to Virgil Van Dijk, Joe Gomez, and Joel Matip, but Phillips and Rhys Williams helped the club finish third.
When Liverpool reached the Champions League final in 2022, Klopp stated that he will never forget their contributions.
“I messaged Rhys Williams and Nat Phillips because we wouldn’t have been there without them,” Klopp told Sky Sports News. “I recall the last game of last season, and they exited the field with a bandage over their head and cuts on their faces, which was a symbol for the entire era. We made it through on one leg and one eye, which was great. It was a really rough season.”