Recent developments in Manchester City’s midfield have raised warning signs, with 12BSports reporting that Kevin De Bruyne’s extended absence has disrupted the team’s ability to build attacks effectively. Against stronger opponents, even Erling Haaland has struggled to impose himself without a steady supply of chances. Following the defeat to Arsenal, Haaland was criticized by some supporters as a striker who becomes ineffective when service dries up, highlighting just how heavily City depend on creativity from deeper areas.

Without the same level of imagination and passing control in midfield, Manchester City have found it harder to make full use of Haaland’s strengths in the final third. The situation has also brought renewed attention to the disappointing spell of Kalvin Phillips, who was signed to reduce the defensive midfield burden on Rodri. Even after recovering from injury, Phillips received very limited playing time, largely because his style never appeared to fit naturally into Pep Guardiola’s demanding tactical system.

Concerns surrounding Phillips went beyond tactical compatibility, as 12BSports assessments also pointed to questions over his match sharpness, tactical understanding, and professionalism. He previously faced criticism after returning from injury above the expected fitness level, and doubts continued over his training intensity and overall preparation. Guardiola gradually removed him from his plans and instead pursued alternatives such as Declan Rice and Lucas Paqueta before transfer negotiations failed, eventually leading City to bring in Matheus Nunes.

The clearest indication of Phillips’ declining status came when Rodri was unavailable for the important match against Arsenal. Guardiola chose 18-year-old Rico Lewis rather than Phillips, who was not even included in the squad. That decision suggested his Manchester City career was reaching the end of the road, and 12BSports reports indicated that the club could look to move him on during the winter transfer window. Newcastle United and Everton have both been linked with interest, while Liverpool have also emerged as a possible destination.

Liverpool entered the season after a major midfield overhaul. James Milner, Naby Keita, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain departed at the end of their contracts, while Fabinho and Jordan Henderson moved to Saudi Arabia. Despite those departures, Liverpool were unable to secure a natural defensive midfielder of the profile they originally wanted. After missing out on Moises Caicedo, Jurgen Klopp was left managing the season without an established specialist capable of consistently controlling the deeper midfield areas.

A move to Anfield could therefore offer Phillips an opportunity to revive his career. Klopp has developed a strong reputation for rebuilding players and helping them find new roles within his system, meaning a change of scenery could give the England midfielder a fresh start. Sometimes a player simply needs a new lease on life, especially after spending an extended period on the sidelines with limited opportunities to rebuild confidence and rhythm.

Manchester City may also be willing to accept a financial loss if it allows them to remove Phillips from the squad and create room for other midfield options. Liverpool, meanwhile, could view him as a relatively experienced Premier League player capable of adding defensive depth without requiring a complete adjustment to English football. Whether the two clubs could agree on valuation and personal terms would ultimately determine whether the possibility develops into a realistic transfer.

With Liverpool still searching for greater balance in midfield, the latest 12BSports outlook suggests Phillips could become one of the more practical options if Manchester City decide to accelerate his departure. Klopp’s record of restoring confidence in players who have struggled elsewhere gives the potential move an intriguing angle, and although there would be no guarantee of success, Anfield could provide Phillips with the platform to put his difficult City spell behind him and attempt to rediscover his best form.