Liverpool central defender Nathaniel Phillips has admitted to The Times that he knows that he will drop to be the substitutes’ bench when the injured players are back.
Phillips is having a breakthrough season at Liverpool and is doing quite well at the moment.
The 24-year-old centre-back has formed a good partnership with Ozan Kabak at the heart of the Liverpool defence.
However, the Englishman – described by Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp as “unbelievable” in Goal.com on Saturday – believes that once Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip are back to full fitness, he will drop to the substitutes’ bench.
Phillips told The Times: “I’m aware Liverpool have three centre backs [Van Dijk, Joël Matip and Joe Gomez] who are ahead of me in the pecking order all injured, so when those circumstances change mine are likely to change also, but for me to strive [to be a long-term Liverpool starter] is going to bring the best out of me and I’m only going to benefit from setting that as an ambition.
“But you know it’s impossible to say where I’m going to end up. Because throughout my whole career so far, I don’t think you could predict anything.”
Disappointing for Nathaniel Phillips
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.
Van Dijk is one of the best central defenders in the world, while Gomez and Matip are key players in Klopp’s team.
Once all the three injured defenders are back to full fitness and are available for next season, Phillips will get back to being a squad player.
It will be a disappointment for the 24-year-old, and it will be interesting to see if he still stays at Liverpool instead of trying to find a club to continue his progress.
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