Nathaniel Phillips praised West Ham forward, Michail Antonio, for getting the ‘best out of me’ when reflecting on his season with Liverpool.
The 24-year-old told Jamal Niaz’s YouTube channel that he had to always be ‘switched on’ when facing the ‘quick’ and ‘powerful’ West Ham player.
The game Phillips is making reference to is Liverpool’s 3-1 win at West Ham at the end of January, when Mo Salah netted a brace, including scoring one of the goals of the season.
Liverpool went into that match, not only struggling to win games, but finding it difficult to score goals full stop.
And Phillips thinks, over the course of the season for Liverpool, that was ‘one of my better performances’ thanks to Antonio getting the best out of him.
“My game away at West Ham against Antonio,” said Phillips. “I thought that was one of my better performances.
“I think he probably got the best out of me. I had to be very alert because of how quick he is and powerful he is. Always being alert to being spun in behind.
“Mentally, I had to be switched on and I couldn’t sort of ball watch or drift through the game. Or get too comfortable at any point.”
Phillips’ praise is testament to the season Antonio had in Claret & Blue colours during the recently concluded Premier League campaign.
It’s perhaps his best season since he stepped foot into the Premier League and now he will be looking forward to enjoying a European tour next season.
Of course, just like every other West Ham supporter, Antonio will be hoping that Jesse Lingard is back on their books, to both supply him on the pitch and then be his dance partner when he puts the ball into the back of the net.
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