The smart decision Liverpool can make to save Jurgen Klopp's January transfer budget millions

Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool will be disappointed they couldn't continue their perfect run at Anfield on Sunday. The Reds were denied the chance to return to the top of the Premier League table as Manchester United held on to see a rather disappointing 0-0 draw trickle out on Merseyside.

It was a shadow of the show-stopping performance Liverpool put in back in March. Fans at Anfield were treated to a blistering 7-0 win, which recorded the biggest ever win in the history of the derby. It also saw Mohamed Salah surpass Robbie Fowler's record as Liverpool's top Premier League goalscorer.

While they may not have been able to replicate their seven-goal fiesta from last time, the Reds are still in a very strong position in the Premier League. They currently trail by just one point to new leaders Arsenal and are four ahead of reigning champions Manchester City in fourth place.

Liverpool's next stop in the season will be a home clash against the Gunners, which could be their ticket back to the top of the tree just in time for Christmas. But whatever happens in their final two games of the year, Klopp and co are in superb form as we head into 2024.

A top four chase is definitely on and the Premier League title also can't be ruled out just yet either. But the Reds might have to dip their toe into the transfer market once again in order to give themselves the best chance at glory this season. One of the main concerns right now is Liverpool's back-line, particularly following the recent injury blow to Joël Matip. A new centre-back had been on the radar even during the summer, but the midfield transformation took full priority.

Now, Klopp could well use the winter window as his chance to bring in defensive reinforcements. At this moment in time, Liverpool have just four fit central defenders on the roster — Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konaté, Joe Gomez, and rising star Jarell Quansah. But the Reds are just one more injury or illness away from entering a very tricky road to navigate.

A few names have been floating around as we approach the start of January, but there's one option that could benefit Liverpool without forcing them to dig deep into their pockets and hand over a fistful of cash.

Football Insider recently reported that the Reds are set to recall Nat Phillips from his loan spell with Celtic. The centre-back signed a four month deal with the Scottish Premiership champions and his contract contains an option to extend his stay until the end of the season. However, Liverpool are not expected to trigger this clause and Phillips is set to return to Merseyside in the new year.

The Bolton-born defender has not had the most prosperous of spells at Celtic. Since his arrival, he has been limited to just eight appearances across all competitions and he has been either left on the bench or out of the squad altogether on 13 occasions. With very little impact made, it bodes well for all parties involved that Phillips heads back to Liverpool in January and the decision could give him the playing time he is longing for.

To avoid putting too much pressure on his already limited centre-back options, Klopp will hugely benefit from having the six foot two tall defender back in the ranks. Phillips may not be the most experienced player on the bench but it forced him to step up to the big leagues and he knows how to operate under pressure.

In the same season that van Dijk tore his ACL, Gomez and Matip also suffered injury set-backs, leaving the bulk of responsibility on the shoulders of centre-back duo Phillips and Rhys Williams. It may have been a woeful season for fitness levels, but Liverpool still managed to finish third, and both Williams and Phillips earned a lot of praise for their efforts at such a difficult time.

After one of their final performances of the season against Man United, Klopp lauded the pair for their efforts, describing their concentration levels as 'absolutely insane'. The boss also stressed that while the more senior figures would eventually return from injury, both Phillips and Williams had carved out 'proper careers' for themselves in that season.

"The door is always open. I don’t get blind overnight, that I don’t see a good performance anymore. That means, really, the door is open," Klopp said.

So Phillips has already done the groundwork to impress the manager and Klopp knows he can rely on the sturdy defender to perform when called upon. The Reds are in a much easier situation right now, so the pressure is off slightly. But both Liverpool and Phillips have points to prove. The team will desperately want to finish as high up the table as possible this season to rectify last term's mistakes, but the player is fighting for his future, whether that is at Anfield or not.

If Phillips is integrated back into Klopp's team for the second half of the season, he will have the opportunity to come off the bench and show his worth in a very competitive season. If he is to move on again, then Phillips can treat this season like a shop window for other clubs.

Klopp — clearly already a fan and convinced by Phillips' ability — could still recruit a little extra help in January, but he will have an extra body in the ranks to call upon to avoid any further injury devastation in this very promising campaign.