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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Luke Birch

Liverpool fans already know what happens next after Ibrahima Konate injury

Liverpool defender Nat Phillips is set to stay at Liverpool amid transfer rumours after fellow centre-back Ibrahima Konate suffered a hamstring injury.

The centre-back has struggled for game time this season and has found himself in fifth place in the pecking order behind Konate, Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip.

Konate and Van Dijk are expected to both be out for the next couple of weeks, with the former possibly missing Liverpool's Champions League last-16 tie against Real Madrid.

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Phillips had been linked with a deadline day move to Turkish side Galatasaray for a fee in the region of £10m in the last few days.

The Englishman was a key part of Liverpool's 2020/21 season, forming a partnership with youngster Rhys Williams amid a severe centre-back injury crisis to help The Reds gain a third place finish, thus securing all-important Champions League qualification.

The 2020/21 campaign helped Phillips to cement a cult-hero status among Liverpool supporters for being a tough tackler and a good header of the ball.

The centre-back could provide the aerial prowess that Liverpool would otherwise lack in the absence of Konate and Van Dijk.

Phillips has been a solid defensive option for Liverpool when called upon and is not frightened to throw himself in harm's way. And while he now misses an opportunity to go out and establish himself as a regular starter at another club, this could be a chance to one again underline why he is such a popular player with supporters.

And in doing so give Liverpool a base to regain form this season. After all, that's what happened once Phillips established himself in the side back in 2021.

He has made only two league appearances so far this season and most recently featured in Liverpool's FA Cup third round replay at Wolverhampton Wanderers, coming on for James Milner to help The Reds to help to see out the game.

The 25 year-old had potential suitors in the summer transfer window including Southampton, Bournemouth and Benfica in the summer, but stayed at Liverpool.

Phillips's defensive partner Rhys Williams was recalled from his loan at Blackpool last week, thus boosting Klopp's options further in the position.

The transfer window closes for Premier League clubs at 23:00 tonight.

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