Klopp hails Liverpool prospect's pre-season form

Jurgen Klopp has praised defender Nat Phillips after he impressed during Liverpool's International Champions Cup Victory against Manchester United. 

Klopp told the club's website that, “Nat Phillips, my god – what a pre-season he has played! These boys are completely open.

Phililips also built a solid partnership with Virgil van Dijk as the duo were at the heart of the defence for the second half of the Reds’ 2-0 friendly victory over Blackburn Rovers last Thursday.

Van Dijk also spoke highly of Phillips, stating how "he's a good guy, and that helps too".

“I think Nat did well (against Blackburn), he’s a good guy as well and that helps too, and it’s just good for everyone to see them playing and they just need to enjoy it and especially work hard and get their chances.”

Phillips was set to study at the University of North Carolina in 2016, where he was offered a scholarship, however a last-minute contract offer from Liverpool was too good to turn down for the former Bolton Wanderers academy regular. 

Fast forward two years and Phillips was holding his own against the likes of Mario Gotze, as he played at the University of North Carolina's Bank of America Stadium for Liverpool's first team. 

 

July 23, 2018

With such high praise coming from Klopp and van Dijk it is clear to see that Phillips has made quite the impression during the club's pre-season tour.

Phillips has also been named in Klopp's 29-man training camp in France.