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Our View: 24-year-old ‘monster’ has played last game for Liverpool after club tweet

Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
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MILAN, ITALY - DECEMBER 07: Nathaniel Phillips of Liverpool FC in action during the UEFA Champions League group B match between AC Milan and Liverpool FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on December 07, 2021 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images

Tragically, it appears as if Nat Phillips may have already played his last game for Liverpool.

The 24-year-old central defender was immense against Zlatan Ibrahimovic in Liverpool’s Champions League win over AC Milan, alongside Ibrahima Konate on Wednesday night.

But the performance came at a cost for the towering figure who, as of this morning, has been diagnosed with a fractured cheekbone.

Liverpool confirmed the injury and revealed that he would be absent for a number of weeks with recovery.

But with January being his potential return date, Phillips may not even still be on the Anfield club’s books for too long after returning to 100 percent fitness.

Logical departure

Phillips was a colossus for Liverpool during the second half of last season, following a dreadful injury crisis for Jurgen Klopp.

This time around, however, Klopp, who described him as a ‘monster’ earlier this year, simply does not need him.

The former Bolton powerhouse is behind Konate, Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip and Joe Gomez in Liverpool’s pecking order.

It’s extremely likely that Phillips will try and transfer from the Merseyside club over the coming weeks, for the sake of his career.

And it’s also highly probable that he’ll get a decent move to a Premier League club, based on last season’s heroics and, of course, his performance at San Siro.

His return to fitness will coincide with a beeline toward quitting Liverpool and therefore, his display against Milan – which included a nifty Brazilian-esque piece of skill in his own box – is probably going to be his farewell.

KIRKBY, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 18: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Nathaniel Phillips of Liverpool during a training session at AXA Training Centre on October 18, 2021 in Kirkby, England. (Photo by Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Photo by Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images