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If everything had gone as originally planned, Nathaniel Phillips wouldn’t have even been at Anfield this season, let alone start a Premier League match against West Ham.
It was assumed that the defender would likely have been exercising his trade in the Championship in 2020-21, or in Germany, where he spent a successful loan stint with Stuttgart last season.
But the lack of a willing suitor, coupled with a defensive crisis for the Reds, means the 23-year-old has been pushed straight to the bottom of a top-notch title defense.
On the evidence of their performance in Saturday’s 2-1 win over West Ham, seems much more prone to swimming than sinking.
“It’s been a bit strange lately because it looked like he was going to leave the club in the [transfer] window, there was a lot of interest, “Phillips told Match of the Day.
“It didn’t materialize in the end and I’m happy it didn’t because I had my chance here with injuries.”
Phillips entered the center of defense and did not look out of place, handling West Ham forward Sebastien Haller well and making more punts (nine) and more interceptions (two) than any other Liverpool player.
In the closing seconds of the game, he delivered a brilliant header after a West Ham delivery to avoid any late drama and help ensure Liverpool took all three points.
Only Diogo Jota and Xherdan Shaqiri received higher marks than Phillips (7.14) from BBC Sport readers, while Sky Sports insider and former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher named him player of the match.
“It’s a huge compliment, especially coming from him. He’s a Liverpool legend,” added Phillips.
“This is something I’ve dreamed of growing up. It was huge for me and my family.”
‘In the air he is a monster’
Phillips’ Premier League debut against the Hammers clearly had an element of fortune, with injuries to Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip and Fabinho clearing their way to the first team.
But it still marks a big change for a player who was so out of the picture at Anfield that he wasn’t even included in the club’s Champions League roster for this campaign.
Several Bundesliga and Championship clubs were reported to be interested, including Middlesbrough, Bristol City, Schalke and Werder Bremen, but a move did not materialize.
Dejan Lovren’s summer march, the defensive injury crisis and clearly the impression he made in training have taken care of the rest.
“He’s a brilliant guy, smart, smart, everything,” Klopp said after the game.
“He wasn’t pretty to look at, he’s not pretty to look at, both messy, but who cares? In the air he’s a monster, he loves having challenges on the field and he was amazing today.
“Twelve championship teams wanted it in the summer, it was fine with it going, but it didn’t work out for some reason and tonight it was right.
Have talent, will travel
Bolton-born Nathaniel is the son of Jimmy Phillips, who had two spells as a player on Bolton Wanderers.
He arrived at Liverpool just before the start of the 2016-17 season after a successful test with the club’s youth squad, having previously passed through the Bolton youth academy.
They also offered him a scholarship to play in the United States at the University of North Carolina, but turned it down to sign for the Reds.
Three seasons of reserve team matches followed before the club felt it was ready for first-team football through a loan period in Germany with Stuttgart, then at the second tier.
However, in a kind of precursor to the current situation at Anfield, the Reds’ defensive injuries would lead to their brief retirement from Germany in January 2020 and an appearance in the 1-0 FA Cup third round victory over Everton, before returning to Stuttgart.
He made 19 league appearances in total for Stuttgart last season, in which he kept six clean sheets.
Having seen a stage to walk out the door at Anfield, Phillips now enjoys the opportunity to develop his career at Liverpool.
“I really enjoyed the game,” he said. “It was a tough battle, a lot of aerial battles, but that’s my strength, so I enjoyed that side.
“I’ve been focusing on this weekend so far, but if the opportunity arises again, I have to make sure I’m ready for it.”
