Klopp 'personally arranged the Liverpool summer transfer'

Nat Phillips has revealed how Jurgen Klopp personally arranged the Liverpool centre-back's season-long loan to Stuttgart.

The 22-year-old defender joined the Bundesliga II side for the season earlier this month to help the German side regain their place in the top flight after last term's relegation.

Phillips was part of the club's tour of the United States over the summer, but with new signing Sepp van den Berg bolstering the Premier League's defence further during the transfer window, the youngster accepted opportunities would be limited in Klopp's backline.

Phillips was given the green light to look for a short-term switch during the window and had several offers on the table.

However, when he informed his manager of the possible options, Klopp was unimpressed and instead made a call to Sven Mislintat, who he worked with at Borussia Dortmund.

Klopp rates the Bolton-born defender highly and thought the unnamed clubs were not be ideal for Phillips' long-term development.

Mislintat, who was chief scout during Klopp's time as manager, now works as sporting director for Stuttgart and made his move after a personal recommendation from the Liverpool manager.

"I told Jurgen Klopp about a few offers I had, Stuttgart was not one of them at that time," Phillips told Bild.

"Jurgen was not enthusiastic about the options and I think he called Sven Mislintat shortly after our meeting.

"Klopp congratulated me on this move and he immediately wrote me a message on his phone: 'Good club, great city, my birthplace, I wish you a great time.'"

Phillips was one of several Liverpool players to leave on loan during the transfer window, with as many as nine sealing short-term moves out of Anfield.

Marko Grujic, Sheyi Ojo, Ben Woodburn, Harry Wilson, Kamil Grabara, Allan Rodrigues and Taiwo Awoniyi all either left or extended loan stays during the summer months, while Ovie Ejaria has effectively left having joined Reading on transfer deadline day with a view to a permanent deal.