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Nathaniel Phillips enjoyed an impressive break-through season with Liverpool last term in the absence of the injured Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip.
The English defender played 19 league games last campaign, helping the Reds qualify for the Champions League football for the fifth straight season. He also won Liverpool's Player of the Month accolade in March.
However, with the return of the Merseysiders' first-choice defenders from their respective long-term injuries and the signing of Ibrahima Konate from RB Leipzig, Phillips found himself down the pecking order once again.
He recently expressed his desire to play regular first-team football and could move away from Anfield in this transfer window. He was left out of the Reds' squad to face Osasuna for a pre-season game earlier this week, which further fueled exit rumors.
Nathaniel Phillips' transfer options
#3 Southampton FC
Southampton's Jannik Vestergaard is set to join Leicester City for £15 million, according to recent reports.
Vestergaard was one of the Saints' top performers last season and his departure will be a massive blow for the south-coast club. They are currently looking for his replacement, with Liverpool's Nat Phillips among the top names on their list.
Phillips is a player in the same mold as Vestegaard, with both being very strong in the air. Phillips won 5.6 headers per game last season compared to Vestegaard's 3.3. Like Vestegaard, the Liverpool defender is also a good passer of the ball and completed 950 passes last season with an accuracy of 84.2.
At 24, Phillips still has the potential to improve in the future and could prove to be a perfect replacement for Jannik Vestegaard at St. Mary's Stadium.
#2 Newcastle United
Defensive instability was one of Newcastle United's biggest concerns during the 2020-21 Premier League season. The Magpies conceded 62 goals this past season, the fifth-worst defensive record in the English top-division last campaign.
They were heavily linked with Celtic's Kristoffer Ajer earlier this transfer window but the Norway international decided to join newly-promoted Brentford FC. The Northumberland-based club are currently monitoring other options, with Phillips among the top names on that list.
Phillips' style of play should tune in well with Steve Bruce's tactical philosophy, who organizes to play with a low defensive line. The Magpies hugely rely on set-pieces to score goals and Phillips' aerial abilities could play a huge role in that department as well.
However, the Magpies are currently operating on a tight budget and whether they can match the Reds' valuation for the defender remains to be seen.
#1 Brighton and Hove Albion
Brighton and Hove Albion are another Premier League side to have been linked with Phillips in recent months. The Seagulls lost their star man Ben White to Arsenal last month and are currently in the market for a central defender.
Known for his aerial ability, strength and ball-playing qualities, Phillips will fit in perfectly at Brighton, with Graham Potter preferring to build his team from the back. The 24-year old defender averaged 5.6 aerial duels and 65.7 passes per game last season.
However, the Bolton-born defender will not be short of suitors and the Seagulls have a battle on their hands to snap him up.
