Leeds United star Kalvin Phillips is ready to reject Manchester United and join Liverpool instead next summer.
The England international, 26, is wanted by both Liverpool and Manchester United in what would be a major summer transfer battle. He starred for England in the European Championships earlier this year, and while he has struggled with form and fitness since the start of the season, the Yorkshire native remains highly rated across the country.
Kalvin Phillips, who is under contract at Elland Road until June 2024 and is rated at around £60million, believes joining Liverpool would be better for his career progression and wouldn’t tarnish his reputation among the Leeds’ fans. Since making his first-team debut in the 2014/15 season, the midfielder has gone onto make 226 appearances across all competitions, scoring 14 goals to date.
Whether the English ace would turn down the move if Manchester United were the only team to come in for him next summer is yet to be seen, but he would certainly favour joining Liverpool given the alternative.
However, a hamstring problem picked up in a 2-2 draw with Brentford last weekend could keep the 26-year-old midfielder out of action until February, in the latest issue in what has been an injury-ravaged campaign so far for Marcelo Bielsa and co.
Liverpool need more depth in midfield
Liverpool are keen to strengthen their midfield unit after failing to replace Georginio Wijnaldum and Xherdan Shaqiri in the summer. Wijnaldum ran down his contract and left Anfield to join Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer, while Shaqiri was sold to Lyon.
Naby Keita will leave the club to join the Guinea national team for the AFCON starting from January onward, and with Jordan Henderson, Thiago Alcantara and James Milner in their 30s, it makes complete sense for Jurgen Klopp to bolster his midfield at the end of the campaign.
Kalvin Phillips would be a sensational signing for the Reds
Kalvin Phillips played a pivotal role in Leeds United’s promotion to the Premier League under Marcelo Bielsa last year and his stock has since gone up significantly, especially after his performances at Euro 2020. He is now a regular for his club and country, and the midfielder would be a very good addition to Liverpool.
With the versatility to play as a lone 6, in a double pivot or in a midfield three, the England international would perfectly fit Klopp’s system at Anfield. The 26-year-old is a top ball-winner in the centre of the pitch, works his socks off throughout the 90 minutes in a game and possesses a solid range of passing. When it comes to pressing, he is quite intelligent and is fairly disciplined—which will be music to the ears of Klopp and co.
With Leeds struggling this season, Phillips would be excused of the idea to join a well-oiled Liverpool side if they come calling for his services next year.
I am Rohan Sengupta from one of the busiest cities in India, Mumbai. A Journalism graduate with a keen interest in sports, football is something I simply cannot live without and writing, discussing and analyzing the game is what I do 24*7.
