Nathaniel Phillips has admitted that Newcastle striker, Callum Wilson, made his life ‘difficult’ during the recently concluded campaign for Liverpool.
Speaking to Jamal Niaz’s YouTube channel, the Liverpool defender stated that Newcastle’s hitman just made things ‘uncomfortable’ for him when he came up against him.
Phillips didn’t start the season for Liverpool, but injury after injury in defence meant that he was leading the fight from the back for his side.
And he has shared that Newcastle’s number nine was one of his more difficult opponents, as he reflected upon his first proper season in Liverpool colours.
“I am not sure they brought the best out of me, but it certainly was a learning experience for me,” said Phillips.
“I think it was my third appearance in the Premier League against Newcastle away and Callum Wilson gave me a tough time.
“He rolled me once and then I have made the mistake of trying to step across him, rather than just shepard him to which he used his body to hold me off.
“And then, I sort of took myself out of the game in the situation there and then, from that moment on, mentally I was a little frantic. And he was just a real handful. He never gave me a moments peace, even when it didn’t look like he was going to get on the end of the ball.
“He would make my life difficult trying to use his body and he just made it uncomfortable for me. And it was the first time I had a proper physical battle like that.”
It will be interesting to see what happens with Phillips next season because he did pretty well considering the sticky spot Liverpool were in this season.
With Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip to return from injuries. Plus, the introduction of Ibrahima Konate, it does push the Englishman down the pecking order.
In truth, given that he ended up helping Liverpool to third spot, he does deserve to be higher up that centre-back list.
But it seems as though Liverpool will go from struggling for centre-backs this season to having so many available to choose from when the next campaign kicks off.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
