Middlesbrough could revisit a deal for Liverpool centre-back Nat Phillips in January after his tough spell on loan with Celtic.
HIGHLIGHTS
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Middlesbrough should be looking to sign Liverpool’s Nat Phillips in January to strengthen their defence.
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Phillips had previously joined Celtic on loan but has struggled for game time and is expected to return to Liverpool.
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Middlesbrough’s defensive line has been hit by injuries, and they need reinforcements for the second half of the season.
Middlesbrough are in desperate need of defensive reinforcements in January and Liverpool’s Nat Phillips is a player that they have previously had an interest in.
The transfer window is just weeks away, and it’s fairly clear already that the priority for Boro in the market is a centre-back, and one man they could push for is Phillips.
The 26-year-old was on Boro’s radar in the summer, but they missed out on a deal for the Liverpool centre-back, as he opted to join Celtic.
The Scottish giants could offer the player European football, as well as competing for trophies; but, things haven’t really worked out for the defender north of the border.
Phillips has played just eight times so far, including four starts. He has been an unused substitute on the bench a total of nine times and is now set to leave Celtic in January for a fresh opportunity.
Sky Sports reporter Anthony Joseph is reporting that Phillips is heading back to Anfield in January. He said: “Celtic are not expected to extend the loan deal for Liverpool centre-back Nat Phillips. He joined on a short-term loan, as emergency cover for injuries to Cameron Carter-Vickers, Maik Nawrocki, and Stephen Welsh. Phillips has made just four starts for Celtic, plus another four appearances off the bench.”
Middlesbrough make move for Liverpool’s Nat Phillips
Phillips will no doubt be of interest to many second tier sides, given his experience with AFC Bournemouth at this level previously, but Michael Carrick is currently without a number of key players in his defensive line, and some reinforcements will likely be sought in January in order to provide extra cover, with Phillips perhaps amongst those.
Darragh Lenihan is set to miss the rest of the season, whilst Tommy Smith could be out of action for most of the campaign after rupturing his achilles. It leaves Carrick light in terms of defensive options within his ranks.
Lukas Engel, Dael Fry, and Paddy McNair have also sustained issues of late, meaning Boro are thin on the ground in terms of options, and may need one or two to bolster their ranks for the second half of the campaign.
Those injury issues have disrupted Carrick’s side in more ways than one, with many of his players having to fill in away from their more natural position.
Sporting director Kieran Scott has indicated they will be in the market for additions to their defence and up front during the January transfer window, speaking to the BBC, as quoted by Teesside Live last month.
| Nat Phillips career stats | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Club | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| Liverpool | 29 | 1 | 1 |
| VfB Stuttgart | 22 | 0 | 1 |
| AFC Bournemouth | 18 | 0 | 0 |
| Celtic | 8 | 0 | 0 |
Nat Phillips’ best attributes
Phillips is aerially dominant and commanding, whist he would also not struggle stylistically for Carrick, either. Boro’s manager is happy to mix things up and go more direct if needed, but also often play out from the back to progress the ball through the thirds on the deck as well.
His main weakness is his lack of speed and agility on the turn, meaning he can be caught out when playing a high line. That can be negated somewhat with players around him who have recovery pace in Middlesbrough’s back line.
Phillips is a strong ‘box defender’, who will sweep up and block very well, as well as win many of his individual duels, and he is fairly prone to a strong last ditch tackle, too. With Lenihan now absent, a player of this type is lacking from Carrick’s pool of options.
Phillips has experience of promotion from this division, too. That is ultimately the aim for Boro this season, and players of Phillips’ type will be invaluable in the dressing room for the second half of the campaign.
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