Liverpool midfielder 'steps up' as defender plans end to loan spell

As Liverpool's first team jet about the planet on international duty or just take a hear earned break this week, here's a summary of how Liverpool's on loan players are fairing out in the Championship and beyond.

Centre-back Phillips was thrust into the Anfield limelight last season when he found himself answering the call of Jurgen Klopp to fill a defensive crisis.

This campaign, the 25-year-old has been on loan at Championship side Bournemouth, who are looking for a quick return to the Premier League. Phillips has forged a central defensive partnership with Lloyd Kelly, keeping the likes of Gary Cahill and Chris Mepham on the bench.

Cherries boss Scott Parker is pretty insistent on his side playing out from the back and that has seen Phillips receiving a lot more of the ball from the start of moves. Phillips has made eight appearances for Bournemouth so far, who are riding high in the Championship, with only Fulham above them.

The south coast side will likely to be interested in making Phillips' loan deal permanent at the end of the season, but given that he is under contract with the Reds until 2025, they will have to stump up a sizeable fee.

Right-back Williams made that switch from Anfield to Craven Cottage on transfer deadline day and quite frankly has never looked back.

His all-action performances, two goals and two assists have already endeared him to the Fulham faithful as the West London club continue to sit at the summit of the Championship, with what looks like and unassailable lead.

Williams' form for Fulham has also ensured that his involvement with the Welsh international squad is serious, as he admitted this week when preparing for his country's one-legged World Cup play-off semi-final against Austria