Reds plot swoop on Leeds duo
all-action England midfielder after losing Fernandinho – but now Liverpool have joined the hunt.
And Phillips could be joined at Anfield by wing star Raphinha after the Merseysiders ramped up their interest as a result of the imminent departure of Sadio Mane.
Klopp is a big fan of the speedy Brazilian attacker who scored 11 Premier League goals and grabbed three assists, despite a poor season for Leeds who only just beat the drop.
Raphinha is on
Barcelona’s wanted list but the Spanish giants are still deep in debt and must sell before they can buy.
Liverpool’s back-up attacker Takumi Minamino could be the bait to attract Raphinha.
Liverpool had hoped to land No.1 target Aurelien Tchouameni from Monaco but he is on the brink of a move to Real Madrid.
Lure
That has forced them to look at alternatives and Phillips is among them. His future is up in the air with the 26-year-old yet to agree a new deal at Elland Road.
Leeds do not want to lose Phillips but know the lure of Champions League football could prove too strong.
It is believed Klopp would be prepared to sacrifice Japan international Minamino even though Liverpool have already lost squad striker Divock Origi, who has joined Serie A champions AC Milan.
Raphinha has adapted well to the speed, intensity and physical demands of the Premier League – and has impressed Klopp since his arrival in England.
The Liverpool boss is becoming increasingly resigned to losing striker Mane, entering the final year of his contract, with Bayern Munich keen to sign him to replace departing goal machine Robert Lewondowski.
Ahead of Senegal’s African Cup of Nations qualifier against Benin, Mane claimed he will “do what the Senegalese people want” after a poll suggested 60-70 percent of their fans wanted him to quit Liverpool.