Kalvin Phillips in line to make debut against Liverpool as loan deal agreed

What a difference a year can make. Last summer Kalvin Phillips was linked with a Liverpool transfer but on Saturday he could line up against them.

The midfielder has endured a difficult time since making the switch from Leeds United to Manchester City a couple of years ago, so much so that a move to Anfield was touted as reports claimed an enquiry was made as then-manager Jurgen Klopp looked to bolster his options in the engine room.

Ultimately Liverpool opted against pursuing a deal for a 'specialist number six' and instead signed a more versatile option in Ryan Gravenberch.

As for Phillips, he remained at the Etihad Stadium for the first half of last season, making a handful of appearances across all competitions before joining West Ham United on loan in the January transfer window for the remainder of the campaign.

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Phillips deal agreed

A combination of injury and poor form meant the 28-year-old was unable to earn a permanent transfer to the Hammers, but he is on the move once again with BBC Sport revealing he is set to join newly-promoted Ipswich Town on a season-long loan deal.

And it just so happens that the Tractor Boys are Liverpool's opponents at Portman Road this Saturday lunch as the new Premier League campaign gets underway.

Assuming Phillips passes his medical, is match fit and is registered in time for this weekend's game, his Ipswich bow could come against a side he could have been playing for had things turned out differently a year ago.

Ipswich Town on the brink of agreeing a season-long loan for Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips. Statement signing for newly promoted club #ITFC #MCFC 🚜⚽️🥅✍️

— Mike McGrath (@mcgrathmike) August 15, 2024

It is claimed that a number of clubs, including Fulham, were interested in signing Phillips but Ipswich have won the battle in what may turn out to be some coup if the England international is able to help them successfully avoid relegation.