Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has told Goal.com that a lot of clubs wanted to sign Nathaniel Phillips in the summer transfer window.
Klopp has added that he is happy that the 23-year-old defender did not leave Liverpool, and that the youngster is still at the club.
The Liverpool boss told Goal.com: “I know Nat [Phillips] the longest so I was really happy with this development. Since I know him he made big, big steps and is an exceptional character.
“I said it before that the little problem was that we were all convinced, how it looked all the time… there were a lot of clubs interested in him and in the end, maybe because of the coronavirus crisis, nobody had the money to do it but we expected him to leave the club, to be honest.
“Thank God he didn’t, but that’s the reason why he is not in the Champions League squad, the only reason.
“He cannot be on the bench in the Champions League but he is available for the Premier League like all three are and now I have to make a decision.”
Nathaniel Phillips in demand
Goal.com reported in September that Nottingham Forest, Bristol City, Middlesbrough, Stoke City, Millwall and Swansea City all wanted to sign Phillips in the summer transfer window.
The report added that the defending Premier League champions were willing to let the 23-year-old leave, either on loan or on a permanent basis.
Premier League debut today?
Liverpool will take on West Ham United at Anfield in the Premier League today.
There is a chance that Phillips could make his league debut for the Reds. Fabinho is injured for the match, and so is Virgil van Dijk.
Joel Matip is also sidelined, meaning that Klopp would have to make use of Billy Koumetio, Phillips or Rhys Williams.
If Phillips get the chance today, then the 23-year-old English central defender should make the most of it.
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