‘I needed to go…’ – Liverpool player admits he couldn’t pass up ‘great opportunity’ with loan exit

 

One of Liverpool’s many loanees has stated that he ‘needed’ to leave Anfield this summer and couldn’t pass up the ‘wonderful opportunity’ he may be given at his new club.

Nat Phillips signed a half-season loan deal with Celtic, who will compete in the Champions League group stage for the next three months, near the close of the transfer window.

The 26-year-old had struggled to find game time with the Reds and felt he needed to look for an opportunity to play more consistently elsewhere.

When asked about his relocation to Glasgow, the

“I’ve gone through a period at Liverpool where I haven’t played a lot,” the defender stated (via Liverpool Echo).

“Ultimately, during the transfer window, I realized that I needed to go somewhere and get regular games.” Celtic have provided me with an excellent opportunity to do so at a high level and for a large club.

“The stadium is always packed with fans, which is what you want as a player.” You want to be playing in such environments for a club with lofty goals.”

Given how little he’s played in the last year, we don’t blame Phillips for feeling the need to move away from Liverpool for a few months. It would be more concerning if he were content to stay and rarely get a look-in under Jurgen Klopp.

A meager five senior appearances in 2022/23 (Transfermarkt) reveals his position in the centre-back pecking order at his parent club, and it was telling that he was allowed to leave on loan despite the absence of both Virgil van Dijk (suspension) and Ibrahima Konate (injury).

The misfortune of several Celtic defenders proved to be his lucky break, providing him with the opportunity to join a team that can boast Champions League football and where, until Brendan Rodgers gets a few more bodies back, he should see plenty of activity on the pitch.

Phillips has accepted that he will need to have ‘conversations’ about what happens after that point in January, but for now, he has what appears to be a golden opportunity to make up for lost time and ultimately force his way into Klopp’s long-term plans at Anfield.

Let’s hope the 26-year-old takes most of his opportunity in Glasgow and goes on to play for Liverpool.

The Empire of the Kop Podcast #89: EOTK Insider with Neil Jones✔