Liverpool demand Nat Phillips offer be doubled despite defender wanting to leave

Liverpool are understood to be demanding double the money they have currently been offered for Nathaniel Phillips despite the defender wanting to leave the club this month.

Phillips has been attracting interest from other Premier League clubs as well as several teams in Italy having slipped down the pecking order at Anfield this season.

The 24-year-old broke into the Liverpool first team last season following injuries to fellow defenders Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip.

He went on to make 20 appearances across all competitions but has played just three times so far this season, with none coming in the league.

The Daily Mail report that Liverpool have already turned down a £7million bid from an unnamed Premier League club this month.

Liverpool are said to be holding out for an offer worth closer to £15million in order to agree to selling Phillips.

Both West Ham United and Brighton and Hove Albion have been linked with Phillips in recent months, while there is also reported interest from Serie A.

Phillips impressed at the San Siro against AC Milan in the Champions League back in December but has not played since that match having fractured his cheekbone.

Should Nathaniel Phillips be allowed to leave Liverpool this month? Let us know in the comments section below.

Liverpool's reluctance to sell Phillips comes as a surprise after the defender stated he is open to a move just last month, although he did only sign a four-year contract extension in August.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Phillips said: “I want to be playing games. It's been tough because the competition to get in this team is fierce.

“The manager and I agree that the best thing for me is to play as many games as possible. I think you saw last year I developed well. I'm going to see what comes along [in January] and go from there.

"I think at this moment in time it's unlikely that I'll be playing lots of games for Liverpool, so if an opportunity arises where I get the chance to do that somewhere else and it suits everyone then it's certainly something I'd be interested in.

“I've had the exposure and experience in the Premier League and the Champions League. So maybe those situations where you're new and nervy, I've gone through that phase. I'll be ready straight away to get involved and play.”

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