Former Bolton Wanderers youngster Nat Phillips remained a Liverpool player despite loan approaches by Benfica and Southampton near the climax of the transfer window.
The 25-year-old Bolton-born centre half came through the youth ranks at Wanderers and is the son of former Whites defender Jimmy. However, he left in the summer of 2016 having not made a first team appearance for the club.
After departing Bolton, he joined the Anfield club's youth set up and began to train with the first team in 2018. He has made a total of 25 appearances for Jurgen Klopp's side since then, scoring once.
READ MORE: Full list of the 11 players who left Bolton Wanderers this summer and what happened next
Phillips spent the first half of last season at Anfield and even turned out against his boyhood club Wanderers in that time. He captained Liverpool under-21s to a 4-1 loss in the Papa John's Trophy.
He spent the second half of last season at Bournmouth and helped the Cherries earn promotion out of the Championship back to the Premier League. He played 18 times for Scott Parker's side.
There had been suggestions Liverpool had been willing to sell the defender this summer. Fulham and Bournemouth were potential destinations, but Phillips ended up staying put at Anfield.
Now, the Athletic reports that a move for Phillips on loan for the season was attempted by Portuguese side Benfica on the penultimate day of the transfer window. It would have included a loan fee.
However, Jurgen Klopp's side opted to keep the defender as cover until January at least. The player is said to have accepted that stance and Southampton too were given the same answer as the Portuguese side.
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