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Having done what he was brought back to the club to do and played his part against Everton in the FA Cup, Nat Phillips is back with Stuttgart today, re-joining the Bundesliga.2 side to complete what was meant to be a season-long loan.
When a defensive injury crisis struck the reds, with centre halves Joël Matip and Dejan Lovren both out along with defensive midfielder and emergency cover Fabinho, the Reds sought to negotiate Phillip’s return from the German club.
With no release clause in his season-long loan deal, Stuttgart had to agree to his return. Which they were happy to do—but they wanted assurances from Liverpool that they would get the player back in fairly short order. Which they now have.
The 22-year-old Bolton native joined the Reds from his local club in 2016 and his appearance against Everton marked his Liverpool debut. He made 11 appearances and played 674 for Stuttgart in the autumn before returning.
While not a lock to start every match, Phillips had started three games on the bounce before returning to provide cover for Liverpool’s injury crisis. Stuttgart currently sit third, a point away from an automatic promotion place.