According to The Times, Liverpool central defender Nathaniel Phillips’s role model is Arsenal’s Rob Holding.
In an extensive interview with The Times published today, Liverpool defender Phillips spoke about a lot of topics.
The report does not quote the 24-year-old as saying that Holding is his role model, but it seems to have paraphrased what he said about the 25-year-old Englishman, who cost Arsenal £2 million in transfer fees when they signed him from Bolton Wanderers in the summer of 2016, as reported by BBC Sport.
The Times wrote about Phillips: “He says his role model is not a great star but Rob Holding, a former team-mate for Bolton Under-23, who surprised many by going to Arsenal and, amid many big signings and silkier or more glamourous rivals, staying in the first team.”
Good role model
Holding has had injury problems during his time at Arsenal, but the 25-year-old has done well when he has been called into action.
The former England Under-21 international central defender has made 23 starts and two substitute appearances in the Premier League for Arsenal so far this season, providing one assist in the process, according to WhoScored.
The Englishman has also made two starts and one substitute appearance in the Europa League for Mikel Arteta’s side this campaign, according to WhoScored.
Holding has established himself as an important player in the Arsenal team, and perhaps Phillips could do the same next season when Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip are back to full fitness.
Phillips has made 10 starts and two substitute appearances in the Premier League and played three matches in the Champions League for Liverpool this season, according to WhoScored.
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