LIVERPOOL are now willing to let Nat Phillips head out on loan again this season, according to a report by the Mirror.

Phillips enjoyed a fruitful loan spell at Cherries in the second half of last season, helping the club clinch promotion to the Premier League.

It was thought the Reds were looking to cash in on the 25-year-old this summer, with a fee of £15million mooted.

However, the Mirror now claim the FA Cup holders have had a change of heart and could allow Phillips to head out on loan again, rather than sell him permanently.

The centre-back has made 24 appearances under Jurgen Klopp, bursting onto the scene following a defensive injury crisis at the Merseyside club during the 2020-21 campaign.

But he then fell down the pecking order, with the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip and Ibrahima Konate ahead of him in the pecking order.

The Mirror say there is a belief now at Liverpool that Phillips, who signed a four-year deal last summer, could develop into a long-term replacement for Matip.

That could see them allow him to return to Cherries again, but they would demand a loan fee from the south coast club.

Speaking last month, reflecting on his time at Cherries, Phillips told the Daily Echo: "I’m so grateful that I made the decision to come here.

"I’ve enjoyed my time so much. It’s nice, one of the main reasons I came here was because we had that objective of promotion and something to play towards and it’s a great feeling to finish the season and achieve that.

"It’s been brilliant. I’ve loved every minute of it.

"It’s been a real challenge, don’t get me wrong.

"But I’ve enjoyed that challenge and I’ve enjoyed playing regular football."

He added: "I want to continue playing regularly, week in, week out. Ideally in the Premier League.

"So we’ll see what happens in the summer.

"I can’t rule anything out. But ultimately it comes down to, it’s not just me.

"There’s various conversations that need to be had involving Bournemouth, Liverpool and whoever."