Liverpool found a new unlikely hero on Wednesday night when central defender Nat Phillips dismissed all comers on his Champions League debut against RB Leipzig.
At the start of the season, the 23-year-old might’ve expected to be sent out on loan for another campaign after a year spent with Stuttgart.
However, the Reds retained the Bolton-born warrior and as well they might.
Having suffered a frankly ludicrous amount of defensive injuries this season, Phillips has been thrust into the first-team on numerous occasions, performing admirably on each.
Wednesday’s display was arguably the pick of the bunch and it sparked an outpouring of love, including from Jurgen Klopp.
There was some concern as to whether Phillips had a contract beyond the end of this season, but those fears were swiftly allayed by the defender’s agent who confirmed an extension had been reached some time ago.
This sparked another reaction as enthused Kopites celebrated more chances to witness the ‘Bolton Baresi’…
This man is exactly what we have been missing this season, a man with an aura which shows that he's here to win, he gives it his all for the team. What a player ?
— Jj Liverpool FC (@JjLFC2) March 11, 2021
Keep Philips at all costs. Hasn’t put a foot wrong at all. Proper old school CB. Should have gotten more game-time before this.
— Damon Albarn’s Greyhound (@Ghostin365) March 11, 2021
https://twitter.com/berthzzenth/status/1369957750101315590
My man of match YNWA
— Haq Khan. (@HaqKhan17216130) March 11, 2021
We have to keep him ,could save us a fortune https://t.co/Aos71bhMbO
— Flirty Moms (@FIirtyMoms__) March 11, 2021
80m quid defender if ever I saw one..
— KD (@19KD83) March 11, 2021
