£160,000/week Liverpool target for January set for first international appearance since March

Liverpool are eyeing January move for Kalvin Phillips with reports suggesting the 27-year-old wants an immediate departure from Manchester City. Signing a defensive midfielder has been made a priority for the Reds and the former Leeds United midfielder fits the profile Jurgen Klopp is looking for.

The central midfielder, who hasn't played for England since March, is reportedly "increasingly likely" to leave in the January transfer window, with the Merseyside giants among the clubs showing keen interest.

Transfer expert Alex Crook revealed that Liverpool showcased strong interest in securing Phillips's signature over the summer.

Phillips set for return to England lineup

According to Sky Sports, Jordan Henderson will be on the bench for England's Euro 2024 qualifier against Italy this evening,

Phillips is expected to make his first competitive start for his nation since March when he played in the reverse fixture in Naples.

So far this season, the Liverpool target has played very little football, featuring for Pep Guardiola five times for a grand total of 167 minutes.

The prospect of him making the switch to Liverpool adds an intriguing dynamic to the Premier League's January transfer window.

Kalvin Phillips is an expensive and risky midfield target

If Phillips is set to abandon ship at Man City, his next destination could be Liverpool - provided the club can afford his £160,000 weekly wage.

Also assuming City are willing to sell to their Premier League rivals, Liverpool could soon bolster their midfield selection. The Premier League champions will, however, have noticed how dangerous it is to sell to direct rivals after Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko

Liverpool’s midfield that includes Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai could be further strengthened by the potential arrival of the Englishman, who would bring balance and additional quality to the team.

Phillips’ strong defensive ability coupled with his ambitious playmaking skills would be a perfect fit for Jurgen Klopp’s side. With his industrious style of play, he'd also make short work of becoming a fan favourite.

Ask any Leeds fan and they'll sing his praises.

Liverpool has been strongly linked with a move to sign Andre, however, the club now faces stiff competition from Arsenal.

If the Gunners succeed in their endeavour to sign Andre, the Merseyside giants will be forced to turn their focus onto other targets. In this case, Phillips could be primed to be their primary focus for the January transfer window.

A lot would have to fall into place for Kalvin Phillips to change his sky blue for Liverpool red, but given his current form and the respect he’s gaining on an international level, he’s certainly proven that he could be a valuable asset.

For Liverpool supporters, Phillips represents another potential piece of the title-contending puzzle. And with the transfer window opening in January, the anticipation of his potential switch from Manchester City will undoubtedly heighten with any more concrete developments.

If you're interested in the progression of this story, visit Anfield Central's tag page for Kalvin Phillips to keep your finger on the pulse.