Liverpool confirm transfer as star who Virgil van Dijk sent message to seals deal

In a parallel universe, Nat Phillips would be lining up alongside Virgil van Dijk in the heart of Liverpool's defence next season, having firmly established himself as a fan favourite at Anfield. Instead, the 28-year-old will play for West Bromwich Albion in the Championship after managing just eight appearances in four years for the Reds.

Phillips has joined the Baggies on a three-year deal after an impressive loan stint with Derby County in 2024/25. He was a pivotal performer in the Rams avoiding relegation, with manager John Eustace publicly stating he wanted the centre-back on a permanent deal this summer. However, instead, he's headed to the Hawthorns for a fee of around £3million, and said he wants to help the club win promotion next season.

"I think everyone at the club and involved would like to see it competing for promotion and pushing for Premier League football," he said. "I've had a number of loans over the past few years and it'll be really nice for me and my family to go somewhere and know we're staying there to develop a relationship with the club and the fans."

Phillips joined the Liverpool academy in 2016 and was handed his first senior deal three years later. However, it was during the 2020/21 campaign, when Jurgen Klopp's side was decimated by injuries as they struggled to defend their league title, that he seemingly broke through the ranks.

Phillips made 20 of his eventual 29 Liverpool career appearances that season. His form drew praise from fans and team-mates, earning him the nickname the 'Bolton Baresi' in reference to his hometown.

After that campaign. Phillips revealed the heartening contact he had with Van Dijk, saying: "Virgil has been amazing. He sent me a message at the end of the season saying he thought I'd done really well in difficult circumstances, and that I should be proud of myself.

"To him, that's a little thing to do, a small gesture, but for me to receive that sort of praise off the likes of him, it's huge and I won't lie, it put a massive smile on my face when I received the text."

However, Phillips promptly fell back down the pecking order that summer, and prior to joining Derby had loan stints at Stuttgart, Bournemouth, Celtic, and Cardiff City. He had a year left on his contract at Liverpool, having signed a new deal back in 2021.