Paul Merson told Sky Sports’ Soccer Special on Wednesday evening that Nat Phillips performed ‘very well’ for Liverpool during their 3-0 win against Burnley.
In what was a must-win game for Liverpool, who put three past Sean Dyche’s men, including a first club goal for their thriving centre-back, Phillips.
It hasn’t been easy for any Liverpool centre-back trying to fill the void left by the injured Virgil van Dijk, but Phillips is stepping up at the right time.
And following yesterday’s performance at Turf Moor, Merson thinks the Liverpool academy product has just earned himself a ‘new contract’.
“I think he has done very well,” said Merson. “It’s hard for him to come in, especially with the way Liverpool play.
“The fullbacks bomb on, so you get isolated. You have to learn the hard way. That’s why Van Dijk’s so good. It’s not like he’s going into a Crystal Palace where you are getting loads of protection. You lose the ball and everybody runs behind the halfway line.
“This was a hard learning lesson for him. Playing 2 v 2’s or 3 v 2’s. And he’s done alright. He was a bit out of his depth against Real Madrid if I am being honest. But since then I think he’s been very good.
“And he has got a massive goal tonight that will pay for a new contract for him. I am sure.”
For large parts of the season, Jurgen Klopp was playing the likes of Fabinho and Jordan Henderson at the back, and whilst the former did pretty well, it did leave a big hole in the middle of the park.
It then begs the question as to why Klopp didn’t push Phillips into the starting XI soon enough and persist with him because he just seems to be getting better and better.
Willing to head absolutely everything, probably even his own teammates, Phillips has been aggressive at the back and showcased authority not seen since a pony-tailed Dutchman was donning the Liverpool colours.
Either way, it will be interesting to see how Klopp uses Phillips next season when the likes of Van Dijk and Joe Gomez are back in action.
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