Derby County are set to bolster their defensive options after agreeing to sign Liverpool’s Nat Phillips on loan.
Paul Warne’s side have been in search of a centre-back as the window has been edging closer to it’s end, with financial constraints emphasising The Rams’ need for a loan deal. County have spent money on three incomings in Jacob Zetterstrom, Ebou Adams and Kenzo Goudmijn.
According to The Times’ Liverpool correspondent Paul Joyce, that solution has been found in Nat Phillips, who has been out of Arne Slot’s plans this season. The former Celtic defender was used in pre-season but is unlikely to feature in The Reds’ Premier League campaign.
Derbyshire Live noted that the defender has green-lit a move to the East Midlands and will now undergo a medical to remain at the club for the rest of the season.
Phillips has previous loan experience in the Championship, with Cardiff City being his first EFL action. He signed on deadline day in January and racked up 18 appearances for Erol Bulut’s side.
The 27-year-old has largely been on the peripheries at Anfield but was thrust into the limelight in the midst of a defensive injury crisis at the club. Alongside Rhys Williams, now at Morecambe, the pair played valiantly to secure The Reds a top-four finish in a season where Jurgen Klopp’s men lost Virgil Van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip.
Bournemouth, Stuttgart and The Bhoys have all had the centre-back on loan and will bring vast experience in European competitions to Pride Park. The Rams were promoted automatically from League One last season and Warne has opted to stick with the pairing of Sonny Bradley and Curtis Nelson in the middle of the park.
Writer’s View
Nat Phillips is likely to be leaving Liverpool in the near future and his stint at Cardiff City set a gauge as to where his level is now after a myriad of loan moves. Derby County were in need of a new defender and having an experienced defender at this level alongside Paul Warne’s trusted pairing is a great addition to have on deadline day.
County are still in search of a striker but no breakthrough has been made as of yet. Deadline day has brought forwards to Pride Park, with Dwight Gayle’s move a recent example of that. Both Kayden Jackson and Jerry Yates have arrived this summer but another face is wanted through the door. Ali Al-Hamadi had been rumoured to be that final piece of the puzzle however that move from Ipswich has gone cold.
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