Liverpool ace Nat Phillips has found this season tough for game-time after being thrown into the first-team last season following injuries to Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez
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Klopp reflects on Liverpool’s win at Wolves
Jurgen Klopp has hailed Nat Phillips after comparing the Liverpool defender to Robert Lewandowski.
The defender became a key player for the Reds last season as they experienced an injury crisis at the back.
Virgil van Dijk was ruled out for the season after a crunching challenge from Jordan Pickford ruptured his anterior cruiciate ligament.
Joe Gomez was dealt a similar problem in training with England while Joel Matip would also see his season end in January.
It meant Liverpool’s entire senior backline was out of action which led to the promotion of Phillips to the first-team, along with Rhys Williams.
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However, with Van Dijk, Gomez and Matip back to fitness and the arrival of Ibrahima Konate, Phillips has had to take a backseat and he has made just two substitution appearances.
It has led to speculation that the 24-year-old could leave Anfield and Klopp has admitted that could happen in January, though he would love to keep him after comparing him to Lewandowski.
“I have to mention Nat Phillips,” the Liverpool boss said.
“People often ask me which player made the biggest improvements under my leadership, and I say Robert Lewandowski.
“That’s probably right, but not far off that is Nat Phillips, just in a completely different department.
“I remember when I saw Nat Phillips first. I spoke to him after the game and he’s one of the smartest players I ever worked with. I told him, ‘You know you are not the easiest on the eye, eh?’
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“He improved in pretty much everything since, and he’s not playing. Life is sometimes not fair and I can’t blame him.
“We cannot keep him forever, that’s clear. We needed him, just to be safe, for that half-year. We will see what happens in the window. He was fine doing it because he’s a great guy.
“His development is absolutely insane. You saw it last year, you would have said ‘Nat Phillips, oh my god, he plays in the last line?’
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“People love him because of his heading but with his feet he is unbelievable. He’s a late starter, but his development is unbelievable. I would sign him for any club except Liverpool, because we have him.”
Several sides had been interested in Philips over the summer but a transfer failed to materalise.
Burnley were at the forefront and could revie their bid to snap up the former Bolton star, especially with James Tarkowski likely to leave at the end of the season.
The England international is out of contract in the summer and could be set to earn a major payday with Newcastle interested in his services.
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