Celtic are closing in on Liverpool centre-half Nat Phillips.

The 26-year-old is being considered for a season-long loan deal as Brendan Rodgers attempts to bolster his defensive options amid an injury crisis. Phillips stands 6ft 3in and has been described as a “monster” in the air by Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp.

Celtic defenders Cameron Carter-Vickers and recent arrival Maik Nawrocki are expected to be missing for several weeks. Both have hamstring problems and another centre-half, Stephen Welsh, is unavailable after ankle surgery.

Gustaf Lagerbielke and Liam Scales are fit, but Rodgers admitted last week that central defense had become a problem due to injuries. “I think we need to think about it, there’s no doubt about it.”