Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has raved about Nathaniel Phillips on Sky Sports.
Klopp has said that he likes the 23-year-old central defender a lot and has hailed his qualities.
The Liverpool boss made the comments about the Englishman, who joined the Reds’ academy in 2016, while giving his take on Rhys Williams and Billy Koumetio.
Klopp told Sky Sports: “I’m involved in most of the things but not all of the things, so it’s not that I knew Rhys Williams before he went out on loan.
“We knew from the pre-season Nat Phillips was back [from his loan at Stuttgart]. I know him for a long time already and like him a lot, sensational boy, character, real fighter, and we knew about ‘Billy the Kid’, he was in a pre-season with us.”
Taking his chance
Phillips made his first-team debut for Liverpool in January 2020 when he played against Everton in the FA Cup.
Just days later, the youngster was sent back on loan to VfB Stuttgart for the rest of the 2019-20 campaign.
According to WhoScored, the 23-year-old made 16 starts and three substitute appearances in the second division in Germany, providing two assists in the process.
The youngster is part of the Liverpool first-team squad now, and with Virgil van Dijk having a long-term injury, he could get his chance.
While Fabinho is likely to be Van Dijk’s replacement in central defence when he is fit and available, Phillips could still be given a chance in the coming weeks.
If the 23-year-old does get the opportunity, then the youngster has to make the most of it and show Klopp that he can rely on him.
With Fabinho out against West Ham United on Saturday, as reported by BBC Sport, perhaps the youngster could get his chance in the Premier League game at Anfield.
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