Jordan Henderson has told Liverpool’s official website that he is delighted for Nat Phillips following his loan exit, insisting that the fan favourite is an even better person than people realise.
Phillips was one of the players to leave the Reds during the January transfer window. It comes after a frustrating first-half of the season for the 24-year-old.
He had gone into this campaign off the back of a brilliant run of form to end last year. However, with Liverpool signing Ibrahima Konate and welcoming the likes of Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez back from injury, Phillips has barely had a chance.
He has not featured once in the Premier League. In fact, he has only been the bench on four occasions in the top-flight.
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What makes Phillips’ situation all the more baffling in some ways is he was simply colossal against AC Milan in the Champions League back in December. Few will forget his outrageous turn inside his own penalty area that Franco Baresi would have been proud of.
It was Bournemouth who managed to capitalise on his lack of game-time. The Championship promotion-chasers signed the defender on loan for the rest of the season on deadline day.
And following his temporary departure from Liverpool, Henderson paid tribute to Phillips.
“There has been speculation around Nat since the summer, so I can imagine it’s been hard for him to deal with that at times, but he’s conducted himself superbly,” he told the club’s official website.
“He’s a brilliant professional. It’s clear from the cult status he has with our supporters that people see Nat as a great guy… and when you get a chance to know him personally you realise he’s even better!”
Amazing another Premier League club did not meet Liverpool asking price for Nat Phillips in January
It looks to be a huge coup for the Cherries to land Phillips. He more than proved last season that he is good enough for the highest level. And it must not be forgotten that he is only being kept out of the side by some of the world’s best defenders.
It is therefore, amazing that another club did not meet Liverpool’s asking price for Phillips. The Reds reportedly wanted up to £15 million for the defender.
He is known for his remarkable ability to get his head on anything. But his ability with the ball at his feet is incredibly underrated.
Liverpool would surely love to keep Phillips in the long-term. And not signing the centre-back may be a decision that several Premier League sides rue in the months to come.
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