Nottingham Forest asked Liverpool if they could sign Nat Phillips on loan during January.
The 23-year-old has played 10 times for the Reds this season but was down the pecking order when Forest asked the question.
He had fallen behind Jordan Henderson and Fabinho in the pecking order, with Jurgen Klopp preferring his experienced duo.
The report claims that Klopp was tempted to part with the defender.
He added Ozan Kabak and Ben Davies during the window and was considering where Phillips would fit in.
Ultimately his decision to keep him has proved a good one.
He was colossal during Tuesday’s 2-0 win over RB Leipzig in the Champions League and has been impressive throughout this season.
Phillips was linked with a move to the City Ground in the summer but Forest pursued other options.
Chris Hughton does have a plethora of defensive options to choose from.
Scott McKenna has been injured of late but he still has Joe Worrall, Tobias Figueiredo and Loic Mbe Soh at his disposal.
Tyler Blackett is in reserve also and centre-back isn’t an area of worry for the Reds.
Klopp raved about Phillips for his heroics on Tuesday night, telling BT Sport: “What a player, what a night for him. It was absolutely great.
“The concentration levels he is showing playing week in and week out for us is absolutely incredible.”
Could Forest move for Phillips in the summer?
It’s an interesting one but someone is likely to have to leave for Forest to sign another defender.
The centre-back ranks are well-stocked and other areas are in greater need of reinforcing.
Phillips could find first-team football harder to come by next season.
Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez set to return, Liverpool will have a full quota of defensive options to choose from.
Forest could well make a third attempt to land him.
Figueiredo has been linked with a return to Portugal in the past, whilst Worrall will have Premier League clubs after him again.
If one of those two does leave it’s not inconceivable that Forest will go in search of another option – especially with McKenna’s injury record this season.
After his breakthrough campaign at Liverpool he won’t be shortage of suitors ahead of next season.
If Forest could get a deal over the line it would certainly be one to excite the club’s supporters.
Would you welcome Phillips at the CG?
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