Former Liverpool midfielder Adam Phillips joined Norwich on trial in the summer of 2017 playing in the Under 23's pre-season victory at Kings Lynn on 12th July 2017 before joining them on tour in Germany later that month

Phillips was released by Liverpool in the summer of 2017 following a spate of injuries that limited his development (he was reportedly thought very highly of) He had joined the Liverpool academy at the age of 11. His form for the Under-18s in 2013-14, where he scored 3 goals in 17 appearances, led to him being called up to the first team squad for the pre-season clash with Brondby in July 2014. Phillips has also played for England's Under-16s

Phillips signed for Norwich on 28th July 2017 on an initial two year contract.

After impressing in the development squad and sitting on the first team bench twice, Phillips was loaned to Cambridge United on 3rd January 2018 for the remainder of the 2017/18 campaign.

At the end of November 2018, it was reported that Phillips would be joining Dutch second-tier side FC Dordrecht on loan in January 2019.

Phillips was released by Norwich in early February 2019.

On 7th August 2019, it was reported that Phillips had signed for Burnley on a one-year deal, with the option for a further 12 months, following a pre-season trial. He will start with their Under-23s but said "Hopefully I can get a chance to push on and hopefully get a chance to train with the first team and show the first-team manager what I can do. That's what I'm here for, to try and get as high up as I can, and keep enjoying my football."

On 2nd January 2020 Phillips was one of four players to join Morecambe, signing on loan, along with fellow Burnley player Ryan Cooney, former Blackburn striker Jordan Slew and onetime Swindon midfielder Toumani Diagouraga. He scored four goals in11 games before the season was curtailed due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

On 12th August 2020, he returned to Morecambe, on a season-long loan. Boss Derek Adams said."Phillips scored some important goals for us. He can play a sitting role or attacking role in central midfield where he did really well for us and we're looking for him to add to his goal tally for us this season."

On 1st February 2021 he was recalled by Burnley and loaned to Accrington Stanley. He played 22 games for Accrington.

On 27th July 2021 he signed a new one year conract with Burnley and was loaned to Morecambe for the 2021/22 season.

He was signed by Barnsley for an undisclosed fee on 1st September 2022. He hadn't played for Burnley's first team.

Phillips was sent off on 29th May 2023 at Wembley as Barnsley played Sheffield Wednesday in the League One play-off finals. Wednesday won 1-0 with a goal in the last minute of extra time.

On 28th June 2024 it was reported that Preston had enquired about Phillips who had scored 20 goals for Barnsley across 79 games.