Liverpool Jurgen Klopp has already told Leeds United supporters everything they need to know about Nat Phillips after he was linked with a move to Elland Road this summer. Reports claim an offer in the region of £10 million would be enough to prise the defender away from Anfield this summer.
The 26-year-old has made just 29 first-team appearances with the Reds since making his debut back in 2020, but his lack of game time is not a sign of a lack of quality. Phillips has been the target for a number of Championship sides over the past few season, but for one reason or another, he's stayed with Liverpool.
It was back in 2020 when he burst onto the scene and received glowing praise from Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher for his debut against West Ham. He claimed Phillips was man of the match in a 2-1 win over West Ham, which his head coach agreed with.
Klopp told Match of The Day: "He's a brilliant guy, smart guy, intelligent, everything. He's not easy on the eye, he's not Messi but who cares?
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"In the air, he's a monster! He was incredible. For the first game, I think everyone can imagine how nervy that must be after a long wait. It's a crazy story, three years ago he was on his way to America to college.
"Twelve Championship teams wanted him and to me it was clear he was going, and I was fine with that - and it didn't work out for whatever reason, and it's great! Tonight he was spot on, helped the team incredibly."
Phillips shone again for the Reds when football resumed that season following its postponement for the Covid-19 pandemic. Klopp heaped praise on the inexperienced Liverpool defensive duo of Phillips and Rhys Williams after the Reds' 4-2 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils took the lead when Bruno Fernandes' shot was turned into his own net by Phillips after just 10 minutes in a nightmare start, but the defender grabbed an assist moments later for Diogo Jota's equaliser.
“The concentration level [Phillips and Williams] showed [on Thursday] night again is immense, absolutely insane what they did there. Against this front four of United it’s not easy,” Klopp, told Liverpoolfc.com.
“But it was really well supported, I have to say, by our two full-backs. They were really leading the line last night, a lot of talks.
“Rhys is a natural talker on the pitch, which helps as well. So I liked how we organised the last line, that was really good.”
