Jurgen Klopp and his Liverpool staff have been delighted by Nat Phillipsâ impressive displays in training recently.
Thatâs according to The Athletic, who report that Phillips almost left on deadline day to join Benfica. After the move was blocked though, Klopp has reportedly liked the 25-year-oldâs reaction.
Itâs claimed that Phillipsâ âattitude and applicationâ have caught the eye of the Liverpool coaching staff, being labelled as âexemplary.â
The Redsâ coaches are reportedly confident that, despite his failed move, the centre-back will continue to train with distinction until heâs needed again.
Phillips stays on at Liverpool
It must have been a big disappointment for Phillips to see a move to Benfica blocked so late in the window. A transfer to Portugal would have been a massive opportunity for him.
In the end though, itâs clear that Liverpool still need him on the books. After several injury issues at centre-back, they donât want to sell themselves short. Weâve been there before.
Thankfully, it sounds as though Phillips has been a consummate professional about the whole thing.
Now twenty-five, he must be desperate to kick-start his career away from Anfield. If he was getting more game-time, then perhaps wouldnât be necessary. But at the moment, that game-time just isnât going to arrive.
As a result, few would forgive him getting a little fidgety. Phillips is essentially being kept around on the off-chance Liverpool need him. That canât be an easy role to fill for someone whoâs played less than 70 senior games by his mid-twenties.
Instead, Phillips appears to see the bigger picture. The hope will be that he can get a little game-time until Ibrahima Konate returns from injury before a move opens up in January.
For his sake, it would be nice if a club like Benfica were still interested. Phillips is clearly a limited player, but heâs done very well for Liverpool whenever called upon. He may not have the quality to play Champions League level football in the long-run, but heâd definitely give it a good go.
