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Jurgen Klopp admits 12 Championship teams wanted Nat Phillips this summer
Liverpool defeated West Ham in the Premier League this weekend thanks to a late Diogo Jota goal at Anfield.
It was a tough game for the Reds, who had to fight from a goal down after Pablo Fornals had given David Moyes’ side the lead in the first-half.
Despite all the star power on show for Liverpool, it was a 23-year-old making his Premier League debut that garnered the most attention from fans and pundits.
Nathaniel Phillips was handed the man-of-the-match award for his solid display, having slotted in at centre-back with the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip and Fabinho all out injured.
It caps off a memorable few months for the player, who was widely anticipated to find himself a new home at the end of last season.
Speaking after the game, Klopp hailed the defender for his display and confirmed that as many as half the teams in the Championship wanted the former Stuttgart loanee in the summer.
“He’s a brilliant guy, smart guy, intelligent, everything,” Klopp . “He’s not easy on the eye, he’s not Messi but who cares? 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 go 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.”
Klopp was also referring to the time Phillips was all set to board a flight to the USA to study at the University of North Carolina in the hope of obtaining a college education and a place in the MLS draft following the end of his time at Bolton Wanderers. Instead, he got a call to join Liverpool for a preseason training camp and ended up agreeing a deal with the Reds.
Phillips has had to bide his time to make his debut in the Premier League but against a fairly robust West Ham attacking line-up he more than held his own.
Impressive in the air and capable with the ball at his feet, Liverpool fans were certainly impressed by this throwback defensive display from the long-term development talent.
Perhaps Liverpool will be alright without Van Dijk and co after all.