Liverpool defender Nathaniel Phillips has told The Liverpool Echo that he has surprised his manager Jurgen Klopp with his performances this past season.
Phillips has added that it is not set in stone that he will still be at Liverpool next season.
The 24-year-old central defender has suggested that he could leave Liverpool at the end of the season.
Nathaniel Phillips on his future
Phillips told The Liverpool Echo: “We haven’t had a conversation about it up until now. I think the situation is, initially they didn’t anticipate me having the season and putting in the performances that I did do.
“Maybe where they might have thought I was just going to do a job and then they would be able to sell me and I would move on, now they’re having second thoughts. I’m not sure.
“I still need to have the conversations with them and just see if there is a role for me there and what role they would want me to play.
“It would depend on if they saw a role for me at Liverpool and then what role that would be. I would have to decide what is best for myself off the back of that.
“I have loved all of my time at Liverpool up until this moment, to have been taken in by the fans so much this year and have loved having the opportunity to play for the club.
“I have loved every minute of it and would love to carry on playing for the club. But I’ve also got to take into consideration what is best for my career, and that will depend on what role Liverpool see they do or don’t have for me and I’ll have to go from there.”
Leaving Liverpool this summer?
Phillips got his chance this past season due to injuries to Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip and Joe Gomez.
The 24-year-old did well when he was called into action.
The Englishman was not flashy and did not try anything risky at the back.
Phillips was solid, strong and did the job to the best of his ability.
The defender made 15 starts and two substitute appearances in the Premier League for the Reds in 2020-21.
The 24-year-old scored one goal and gave one assist in those games.
The Liverpool no.47 also played thrice in the Champions League.
The Englishman will find it hard to get into the team next season.
In fact, there is a very good chance that Phillips will not even be in matchday squads.
Van Dijk, Gomez and Matip all will be back from injuries. Liverpool have also signed Ibrahima Konate this summer.
And don’t forget Ben Davies.
It would make sense for Phillips to see how it goes in pre-season and then make a decision on his future.
The 24-year-old has shown what he can do in the Premier League and could have a few clubs lining up for him.
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