Liverpool defender Nat Phillips is set for a spell on the sidelines due to injury, the club have confirmed.
The Reds centre-back recently starred for Liverpool in their Champions League win over AC Milan in midweek.
Phillips played the full 90 minutes, but did spend a brief spell receiving treatment during the 2-1 victory at the San Siro.
Now the club have confirmed that Phillips has sustained a fractured cheekbone in Italy.
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This means that Phillips, the club have confirmed, will now spend a number of weeks on the sidelines, but does require surgery.
Phillips has made just three appearances for Liverpool this season, but is yet to feature in the Premier League.
There has been growing expectation that Phillips could move on to pastures new when the transfer window opens next month.
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Liverpool were looking for £15million in the summer before he signed a new contract, with the asking price likely to have increased.
West Ham are the latest club to be credited with an interest in Phillips in January, but the defender’s injury could mean that a move doesn’t materialise.
Phillips’ new deal that he signed in the summer keeps him at Anfield until the summer of 2025.
