23-year-old’s surprise emergence is the only bright spark for Liverpool this season

Klopp confirms Liverpool departure date

Liverpool have been plagued with injuries this season and the Reds have been without several key defenders in recent months.

The likes of Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip have all been ruled out for the remainder of the season but the emergence of Nat Phillips has proven to be a positive for Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp.

The 23-year-old centre back has had an extended run in the site due to the injury issues and Phillips has managed to impress with his no-nonsense defending style.

Phillips has proven to be a reliable defender on the ground and he has been exceptional in the air. The Liverpool centre back is hardly a world-beater, but he has done the basics well and made the right decisions at the back so far.

The young centre back has excelled alongside Fabinho, Rhys Williams and Ozan Kabak. Phillips has excelled regardless of the challenge thrown at him.

The defender will be out of contract at the end of the season and it remains to be seen whether his performances can earn him a new deal at Anfield.

Even though the first choice defenders are expected to return from injury next season Jurgen Klopp could definitely use someone like Phillips as squad depth.

Few would have expected the young centre back to make the kind of impact he has so far. It turns out the 23-year-old is actually much better than people expected him to be.

A quick word on Nat Phillips because I'm quite tough on him. Ozan Kabak is a good player, but he needs a leader next to him, Phillips was that leader tonight. Very proactive, very brave, dare I say it, very English. That kind of aggression is exactly what Liverpool need.
Nat Phillips vs. Leipzig 
71% Pass accuracy 
3/7 Long passes 
8/12 Duels won 
5 Clearances 
1 Last man tackle
Klopp on Nat Phillips: "He's an aerial monster and on the floor not bad. He had the honour of playing a Champions League game and he won it. I am really happy for him."