It’s been a difficult start to the season for Nat Phillips at Liverpool.
The big centre-back played a major role in helping the Reds win Champions League qualification last season, after the horrific injury crisis that derailed their Premier League title defence.
But this season, Phillips hasn’t played a single minute of competitive football for Liverpool.
That’s because not only are Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip all fit again, but Jurgen Klopp also has a certain Ibrahima Konate to call on now, too.
In the space of a few months, Phillips has gone from a very important player for Klopp to an also-ran.
But according to James Pearce of The Athletic, Klopp will recall the 24-year-old in the midweek EFL Cup clash away to Norwich City in two days.
He said: “I’m expecting Matip to be rested. If he’s not then he really has become a machine! Konate is the most likely to come in. Phillips will play vs Norwich. I’m sure he will pick fresh legs in midfield too.”
Harsh
It’s harsh but Phillips won’t and can’t have too many complaints.
Football is a results business and the truth is that Klopp’s side will win more games with the four centre-backs ahead of him in the pecking order.
That being said, Liverpool extended his contract after the player failed to get a summer move from Anfield, illustrating that they value him.
But if Norwich beat the Reds on Tuesday, eliminating them from the competition, it’s difficult to see where Phillips’s next game is coming from this season.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
