Liverpool’s surprise star of the season Nat Phillips outlines plan to stay at Anfield and fight to continue to be part of Jurgen Klopp’s plans
- Liverpool defender Nat Phillips is riding a high after a solid end to the season
- Phillips went from fifth choice to first choice after a series of injury blows
- The 24-year-old took heart from the campaign but admits he must still improve
- Phillips has outlined his plan to stay on Merseyside and fight to stay in the squad
Liverpool defender Nat Phillips has outlined his desire to remain at Anfield and fight for a regular first team place after being thrust into the spotlight this season.
The 24-year-old effectively transitioned from fifth choice to first choice centre back following a series of injuries which ravaged the Reds back line, though a strong end to the campaign helped his side secure Champions League football.
Phillips has been lavished with praise by both manager Jurgen Klopp and the Liverpool fan base, after playing a starring role in a momentum shift which produced five clean sheets from the final 10 matches of the domestic season.
Nat Phillips has outlined his desire to remain at Liverpool after a surprise breakthrough year
Now, Phillips is determined to knuckle down and improve on the weaknesses in his game, while battling to continue as a senior Liverpool player.
Following the season-ending 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace, Phillips told LFCTV: ‘Don’t get me wrong, even though I feel like this season’s been successful for me, I know that I’ve got plenty to work on and plenty to improve on.
‘That’s what I’ll be doing in the off-season, I’ll have a little break and then get back to training on my own and work on things maybe you don’t get the opportunity to during the season, because it’s so intense.
Phillips surged from fifth choice centre back to first due to injuries and answered Klopp’s call
‘So I’ll be doing that and hopefully have a strong pre-season, just continue to develop and build on what I’ve done so far this year.’
Pressed on whether he wants to continue figuring prominently for the Reds for the coming season, Phillips insisted: ‘Yes, certainly.’
During the season Phillips collected the Man of the Match award on his Premier League debut against West Ham at Anfield in November, before later going on to repeat the feat in the Champions League.
On his first European bow, playing alongside January loan arrival Ozan Kabak, Phillips scooped the award again after dazzling against RB Leipzig.
In March, Phillips was awarded Liverpool’s Standard Chartered Player of the Month award in recognition of his performances.
The 24-year-old says he will now work hard in pre-season to further improve his all-round play