Liverpool Defender Eyed by West Brom This Summer | OneFootball

Nat Phillips Nearing Liverpool Exit as West Brom Circle for Summer Move

Summer Departure Looms for Nat Phillips

After years of loyal service and a string of loan moves, Nat Phillips may finally be closing the chapter on his Liverpool career. As reported by the Express and Star, “Liverpool centre-back Nat Phillips is among those to have been linked after spending last season on loan at Derby.”

Now 28, and entering the final year of his contract at Anfield, Phillips finds himself at a natural crossroads. Once thrust into the heart of a makeshift Liverpool defence during the 2020/21 injury crisis, the Bolton-born defender became an unlikely cult hero. But with only 19 Premier League appearances to his name, and five different loan stints since, his place in Arne Slot’s long-term plans appears non-existent.

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West Brom Lead the Chase

West Bromwich Albion are reportedly keen to secure Phillips’ services as they look to strengthen ahead of the 2024/25 Championship campaign. According to Express and Star, “The 28-year-old, who has made 19 Premier League appearances for the Reds, is entering the final 12 months of his contract at Anfield.”

The Baggies would be acquiring a player with considerable experience at this level. Last season, Phillips featured 32 times for Derby County, proving both consistent and composed in a backline that helped secure survival. His Championship credentials are now firmly established, and his leadership could be a major asset for a promotion-hopeful side.

Defensive Reshuffle Underway at Liverpool

Phillips is not the only centre-back whose future at Anfield appears uncertain. As the Express and Star article outlines, Liverpool’s centre-back department may be undergoing significant change. “There is a contract conundrum to solve with Ibrahima Konaté,” whose current deal expires in 2026. Jarell Quansah, once tipped for a long-term role, has also slipped down the pecking order under Arne Slot.

Meanwhile, Joe Gomez – a decade-long servant to the club – may also be edging closer to an exit after yet another injury-hit campaign. Clubs such as Aston Villa and Newcastle had expressed interest in previous windows, and may do so again.

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With Nat Phillips’ potential exit seemingly the most immediate, it’s clear Liverpool are preparing for a backline refresh. Slot will want to build around younger, more tactically adaptable defenders, and with Phillips turning 29 next March, this is likely the last realistic opportunity for the Reds to recoup a transfer fee.

Career Built on Character

Phillips’ time at Liverpool will be remembered fondly by supporters who value commitment and humility. Thrust into the spotlight during a defensive crisis, he responded with no-nonsense defending, aerial dominance and a quiet resilience. His story was one of perseverance, not glamour, but those stories matter just as much in building a club’s culture.

There is, perhaps, no better time for Phillips to move on. He has shown his worth in the Championship, remains injury-free, and would bring instant authority to a West Brom defence. With a year left on his deal and Liverpool unlikely to renew, a permanent transfer makes perfect sense for all parties.

Photo: IMAGO

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

For Liverpool fans, Nat Phillips represents something rare in the modern game: a player who never complained, never courted attention, and always gave everything when called upon. He’ll be remembered for that fearless 2020/21 campaign, where his partnership with Rhys Williams held together a fractured season and ensured Champions League qualification. That alone has earned him a lasting place in Anfield folklore.

It’s a shame he never truly got a second chance after that. Phillips proved he could handle pressure at the highest level but, with competition fierce and the club’s style evolving, his profile no longer fits. In many ways, he’s been a victim of Liverpool’s success, too good for a bench role, yet not quite suited to the tactical demands of a top-four side.

If West Brom do sign him, they’ll get a professional, a leader, and someone with the humility to guide younger players. He may never have been the long-term answer at Anfield, but he was always the right man in the right moment when Liverpool needed him most.