Jurgen Klopp, the manager of Liverpool, has made his assessment of Nathaniel Phillips’ Celtic loan.
Regarding Phillips’ availability for the second half of the Liverpool first team roster, Klopp has also hinted at it.
Nathaniel Phillips might depart Liverpool in January, according to Jurgen Klopp.
Well, Nathaniel Phillips is back at Liverpool from his loan spell at Celtic, and manager Jurgen Klopp has intimated that he could leave the Reds again in the January transfer window.
In the summer of 2023, Phillips—who was connected to Leeds United—joined Celtic on loan from Liverpool. The defender’s tenure with the defending Scottish champions was unproductive.
The defender faced injury issues throughout his time with the Hoops, and manager Brendan Rodgers’s club was experiencing battle for spots.
The 26-year-old played for Celtic in the Scottish Premiership this season, making three starts and three substitute appearances. Newcastle United expressed interest in the player in January 2022.
The center back also appeared for the Hoops in the UEFA Champions League once as a substitute and once as a starter.
Although Phillips’ performance at Celtic did not seem to surprise Klopp, he has hinted that the defender may depart Liverpool later this month.
Regarding Phillips, Klopp stated on Liverpool’s official website: “With Nat, we have to see, we have to see.” We need to take into account things like this and our personal circumstances. He will undoubtedly stay with us until the end of the month, at which point we will speak and assess the situation as it stands.
To be honest, we have a lot of respect for both Phillips and Rhys Williams because of the things the boys accomplished while they were here.
“Nat, it didn’t work out 100% at Celtic; there were a few injuries, but it doesn’t say anything about the quality because if a team like Celtic is winning and you are on the team, you stay on the squad; if [they are] losing and you are on the team, you might be cut. Nat will so train with us, and we’ll monitor his progress thereafter.
Nathaniel Phillips has no future at Liverpool, in my opinion.
Nathaniel Phillips, a defender for Liverpool, does not, in my opinion, have much more time with the team. Long-term, I do not see the defender playing for the Reds.
Now 26 years old, Phillips has been a member of Liverpool’s roster since 2016. In addition to his few Reds appearances, he has recently been out on loan at VfB Stuttgart, Bournemouth, and Celtic.
Jurgen Klopp, the manager of Liverpool, would not have sent Phillips out on loan in the summer of 2023 if he thought the player had a chance to prosper at Anfield.
Phillips has a deal with Liverpool that runs through the summer of 2025. Either in the January transfer window or in the summer of 2024, I believe it would be better for the player and the team if he left permanently.