Jurgen Klopp says Nathaniel Phillips is likely to return to Stuttgart on loan this month.
The 22-year-old returned to Liverpool in December, due to a lack of centre-back options for the Reds.
Injuries to Joel Matip and Dejan Lovren meant their only two fit central defenders were Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez.
Phillips played all 90 minutes against Everton last weekend, making his Liverpool debut in the process.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, Klopp admitted a swift return to Stuttgart is on the cards:
First of all, it’s really great, it’s just nice to have him around again because he’s such an exceptional person.
He made a lot of interesting experience in the city where I was born; I know the people there and he enjoys it a lot.
Probably he will go back but we have to see exactly. But, yes, probably.
Read Liverpool Verdict
I think this is a decision that makes perfect sense.
Phillips was drafted in as an emergency option, but with Matip and Lovren nearing a return to first-team action, his chances will be extremely limited.
With Fabinho also capable of playing at centre-back, it is difficult to see where he would get an opportunity to shine.
I believe that Phillips will benefit more from getting regular playing time in Germany, rather than playing for Liverpool’s Under-23s.
The standard and level of competitiveness is higher at the 2.Bundesliga club, which we feel, will allow Phillips to mature more as a player.
He will come up against superior strikers, both in terms of physicality and quality, which again, in our opinion, will only test him more as a player.
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