£40M valued Liverpool target told he needs to paly more amid Anfield links

England manager Gareth Southgate has described Liverpool Kalvin Phillips’ lack of game time at Manchester City as “far from ideal”.

Phillips has been tentatively linked with a move to LIVERPOOL during this summer’s transfer window, but has remained at the Etihad and is yet to feature for the Premier League champions so far this season.

The 27-year-old was named in England’s squad for their upcoming international fixtures, to which Southgate commented on the midfielder’s struggles and encouraged the midfielder to play more.

“It’s important we have some experience in that area of the pitch,” said Southgate “Clearly with Harry [Maguire] and Kalvin Phillips – it’s far from ideal that they’re not playing football.”

MORE LIVERPOOL TRANSFER DEADLINE DAY NEWS: 

Speaking to Celtic TV, Nat Phillips has opened up on his decision to join Celtic on loan until January.

The LIVERPOOL defender joins the Scottish champions on an initial four-month loan deal until January 2024.

After penning a short-term deal on Thursday, the defender said: “I’m really excited. When I heard about the interest it was one that got me excited.

“There were a few other options that didn’t quite make me feel the same as this one did, so I was really keen to get it over the line and I’m delighted to be here now.

“It’s such a huge club, the club’s aspirations, the level it competes at, the fact that they’re in the Champions League this year and the mentality of the club – they want to be winners in everything they do.”

🆕 #WelcomeNat! 🙌

Liverpool FC defender Nat Phillips joins #CelticFC on loan until January 2024 – subject to international clearance ✍️

Welcome to Celtic, Nat! 🍀

— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) August 31, 2023

 

GRAVENBERCH COMING – 

Liverpool have agreed a fee in the region of £34.2 million to sign Bayern Munich midfielder Ryan Gravenberch.

Liverpool have not managed to get the transfer business done that they would have liked this summer – so have had to wait until the final few days of the transfer window in order to finish their transfer signings.

The midfielder is set to sign a five-year deal with Jurgen Klopp’s side and flew to LIVERPOOL on Thursday evening to complete the transfer, with a medical penciled in for today.

Bayern wanted to recoup the £20m fee inclusive of add-ons they spent on recruiting Gravenberch from Ajax, plus make a profit. Ajax are understood to have a 7.5 per cent sell-on clause in this deal.

Bayern, who are keen on Fulham’s Joao Palhinha, wanted to source a replacement before sanctioning Gravenberch’s departure.

SALAH STILL A WANTED MAN – 

Meanwhile – The Saudi Pro League remain intent on signing Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah for Al Ittihad.

Salah is one of the clubs greatest ever players and a man that scores so many goals for Jurgen Klopp – but there has been some speculation that he is very much open to the idea of leaving the Reds.

After missing out on Champions League football last season, with the players that have left and the players that Liverpool have failed to sign this summer, it has been claimed that Salah is keen on a move to Saudi Arabia

The Liverpool forward is still on a list of players the country wants to sign and he has been on that list all summer.

While the Premier League’s transfer window closes at 11pm on Friday, Saudi Pro League clubs can make signings for almost another week with their transfer window closing on September 7.

They are willing to pay Salah £1.5m per week and Liverpool a transfer fee of more than £100m, but LIVERPOOL are still adamant the Egyptian is not for sale, and have no intention of selling him, and there has been no offer.

MORE LIVERPOOL NEWS AND GOSSIP – 

Top Read: Liverpool urged to wrap up deal for treble-winning midfielder this summer

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