One of the players to make a name for himself in a tricky 2020/21 campaign for Liverpool was Nathaniel Phillips. Big Nat was not initially brought into the side as Liverpool’s injuries mounted, with only 22 appearances in the 2. Bundesliga for Stuttgart under his belt. Eventually, the Lancastrian got his chance, starting the final 13 games of the season, including massive ties against Real Madrid and Manchester United.
Speculation has mounted that clubs such as West Ham and Newcastle United could be in for Phillips in the January transfer window. The Bolton Baresi lived up to his nickname in the San Siro on Tuesday night, proving a timely reminder to any potential admirers of his talents.
On the latest episode of our Journo Insight Show, we asked Goal’s Neil Jones for his thoughts on the likelihood of a move away from Anfield for Nat Phillips.
Neil said:
“He should be held up as an example to everyone. When he’s thrown in, he delivers. He just keeps on delivering when he’s needed to deliver. Liverpool wanted too much money for him in the summer, otherwise I think he would have been sold. Can they command the same sort of fee? He’s not a less appealing prospect now than he was in the summer.
From his point of view, I think “, maybe on loan until the end of the season. He’s 24, you don’t want to be sitting on the bench, or sometimes not even on the bench, you want to be playing football. I think he does need to go and play some football; I think he’d like to go and play some football. I think Liverpool would be fair to him if an offer came in, and I expect that there will be some offers. I would maybe say more likely loan than permanent. I would think there’s a fair chance he leaves Liverpool in January.”
Redmen Reacts
Despite not having the raw talent of the likes of Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip, Nat has never put a foot wrong for Liverpool and could definitely forge a career at a decent Premier League level.
Liverpool’s defensive injury crisis of last season has, thankfully, not reoccurred, so Phillips has found game time hard to come by. A loan move in January would suit him. He would benefit from the defensive drilling from the likes of David Moyes if West Ham were to come in for him. Half a season’s worth of good performances at Premier League level would increase the chances of Liverpool receiving a good offer for him in the summer. Whatever he decides, he will always be remembered as a good servant for the club when he was needed most, and now for his Cruyff turn at the San Siro!
