by Dave Usher Date of Birth - 30/12/90
Nationality - English
Position - Striker
Squad Number -
Cost - 0
Club Hons (Lpool) - None
Intnl Hons - England u18
Other Clubs - Huddersfield Town (loan)
Pacey striker from Manchester who made the breakthrough to the first team squad in the 2009/10 season. Nathan has impressed at every level since joining the reds and enjoyed an excellent 2006/07 season for the u16 side, scoring a lot of goals and turning in a string of impressive displays.
He was included in the FA Youth Cup squad for the semi final at Newcastle, and appeared as a substitute in the 1st leg of the final against Manchester United at Anfield. It was the following season however when he really came to prominence, scoring goals for fun at u18 level, and making his debut for the reserves. He scored in that game too, from the penalty spot.
His progress was hampered in 2008/09 as he found himself in the middle of a political battle between Rafa Benitez and the Academy. Reserve team boss Gary Ablett wanted to select Nathan, as well as the likes of Amoo and Kacaniklic, but was not allowed to pick players from the Academy and had to select only from those players Benitez had recruited into his own 'Melwood Academy'.
When Benitez got his new contract and the control over the Academy he wanted, Eccleston, Amoo and Kacaniklic were all promoted into the reserve set up and all have made big strides since. Nathan was quickly amongst the goals in 2009/10, and was called into the 1st team squad for the Carling Cup tie at Arsenal, where he featured as a late substitute. He also made his Premiership debut as a late sub against Fulham.
In January 2010 Nathan was loaned out to Huddersfield Town, and made an immediate impact by scoring the winning goal on his debut.
