West Ham ‘push ahead’ with move for injured £10m rated Liverpool man

West Ham United are willing to “push ahead” with their move for Liverpool defender Nat Phillips, who is valued at around £10m.

The 24-year-old was a prominent figure for Liverpool last season. He played 20 times across all competitions.

This came as he covered for Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip and Joe Gomez, who all picked up injuries during the 2020/21 campaign.

Big Midweek: Chelsea v Everton, Pep, Gallagher, West Ham

Phillips has fallen down the pecking order this season though. He started against AC Milan in their final Champions League group game but this was only his second appearance of the season.

West Ham have been heavily linked with the defender of late.

The Evening Standard are reporting that the Hammers are set to “push ahead” with their pursuit of the centre-back.

This is despite him suffering a fractured cheekbone during the game versus AC Milan. They state that Liverpool are hopeful that he will return to full fitness during January.

West Ham are in the market for a new defender as Angelo Ogbonna and Kurt Zouma have both suffered serious injures.

Elsewhere, Liverpool have been drawn to face Inter Milan in the first knockout round of the Champions League.

Jurgen Klopp has spoken on the draw. He has named the three Inter stars he is wary of and he has suggested that it is a “proper Champions League tie”:

“I had to wait 54 years to play at the San Siro for the first time… and now it’ll be twice in three months, so that’s good news,” Klopp said.

“All good. Of course, it is a tough draw, definitely. They are the league leaders in Italy; a good team in a good moment. We will see how things go until we meet in February.”

The German manager admitted he is wary of former Premier League forwards Edin Dzeko and Alexis Sanchez, as well as Lautaro Martinez, who was linked with a move to England last summer.

“Obviously Sanchez and Dzeko we know well. Lautaro Martinez is one of the most exciting strikers in the world, probably.

“Simone Inzaghi is there, his first year, last year they were champions. But it is the Liverpool way – it’s never easy, but still possible, so let’s give it a go.

“It’s a proper Champions League tie, so all good and I am absolutely looking forward to it.”