Former Liverpool goalkeeper David James has a plan to save his old club millions in the transfer market this summer.
Jurgen Klopp is expected to spend big on a news centre-back with reports suggesting the club are close to agreeing a potential £40million deal for RB Leipzig’s Ibrahima Konate.
However, James reckons the Reds boss already possesses the ideal partner for when Virgil van Dijk is fit again next season.
When asked if Nat Phillips, who netted his first goal for the club in Wednesday night’s 3-0 win at Burnley could replace another long-term injury casualty Joe Gomez as the main man alongside Van Dijk in the heart of Liverpool's defence, The Boot Room quote James as telling Stadium Astro : “Yes, straight away.
“He’s not the most pretty on the eye, but he is a very strong defender. His first appearance for Liverpool, he dominated Benteke with a header.
“He’s got everything you want in a defender.
“If you have someone like van Dijk, you have the experience and the speed to back him up. Nat Phillips and van Dijk would make a wonderful partnership.”
Phillips was named man of the match for his performance against Burnley, clearing a shot off the line during some dogged second-half defending.
The centre-back picked that moment ahead of opening his account for the club.
He said post-match: "Clearance off the line – every time!
"It’s my job to stop the ball from going in the net, to stop goals. If I can get on the scoresheet, happy days, a bit of a bonus.
"But I’d much rather have a clean sheet."
