Bournemouth have been given fresh hope in their chances of re-signing central defender Nat Phillips from Liverpool during the summer transfer window, according to a report.
The 25-year-old spent the second half of the 2021-22 campaign on loan at the Vitality Stadium, helping Scott Parker's side earn promotion to the Premier League.
Phillips made 17 Championship appearances during his time on the south coast with the Cherries, who remain keen on bringing the defender back to the club ahead of their return to the top flight next season.
After previously being suggested that Liverpool would seek a £15m fee to sell Phillips permanently this summer, the Mirror are reporting that Jurgen Klopp's side have performed a U-turn on their decision by allowing him to move on loan to Bournemouth again during the transfer window.
The report suggests that Liverpool now view Phillips as a potential long-term replacement to Joel Matip, after being impressed by his form in the second tier last season, and will sanction a loan move for the 2022-23 campaign in order for him to continue his development.
Phillips suddenly shot up the pecking order at Anfield during the 2020-21 campaign, during which Liverpool endured a defensive injury crisis, with the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Matip serving long spells on the sidelines.
Alongside Rhys Williams, Phillips performed admirably at the heart of the Liverpool defence during the troubling period, but following the returns to fitness of the trio ahead of the 2021-22 season, as well as the arrival of Ibrahima Konate, Phillips found his playing time severely restricted in the first half of the season prior to his loan move to Bournemouth in January.
