Nathaniel Phillips has spoken about fulfilling a childhood dream after playing a key role in Liverpool’s come from behind 2-1 victory at Anfield on Saturday evening.
Injuries sustained by members of the central defensive unit have been frequent in this campaign so far, leading to many selection headaches for the coaching staff.
With Virgil Van Dijk out for the season and Joel Matip along with Fabinho also sidelined, a decision to partner Joe Gomez had to be made between Rhys Williams who performed so well midweek in the Champions League and Phillips.
What counted in the favour of Phillips was the fact that he got some experience in Germany last season playing with Stuttgart helping them get promoted back to the top division. Phillips must have felt like he'd struck it lucky in a French online casino.
The 23 year-old claimed the Man of the Match honours and his statistics back that up.
Bolton-born Phillips who started his footballing journey in the Wanderers academy before moving to the Reds made nine clearances more than any other player on the pitch.
He made life extremely difficult for the West Ham forwards, making two interceptions and six ball recoveries, while also showcasing his technical ability, taking 96 touches and completing 66 passes at a success rate of 81.5%.
Speaking to the Official site, the defender said he had a few days to mentally prepare for the fixture and was clear what the occasion meant to him.
“It was Thursday that the manager mentioned to me that I would be starting as long as nothing happened before then. So, I knew as long as I kept myself fit and ready, then it was going to be something that would happen for me.
“But I would also say, over the past few weeks, with what’s been happening lately with injuries, I’ve known there might have been a call, so I’ve just been keeping myself ready in case the call did come.
“Growing up as a kid it’s something I’ve dreamt of throughout my whole life – making my Premier League debut. I’m happy to have got that opportunity and, most importantly, to have got the good result.
After getting the opportunity, Phillips certainly wants the opportunity to show his worth on the big stage, but knows that he needs to keep progressing if he's to experience more highs such as this one. A man of the match display and a win on his debut is the stuff dreams are made of, like hitting the jackpot in big win casinos.
“Definitely. At the age I am now I think it’s important I’m playing first-team football. By no means does that mean I’m going to be storming into the manager’s office demanding first-team football, but I need to be pushing on.
“And after tonight, I’m sure myself I’m capable of playing at this level so I just need to maintain those standards and build on it.
Jurgen Klopp was naturally delighted with his performance and also gave praise for those around him.
“If you know the story behind and all that stuff it makes it even more incredible. I am really pleased for him, he deserves it more than anybody. He is a great guy, a smart guy, knows exactly everything about himself as a footballer. He kept it really simple tonight, which was incredibly important for us.
“The boys supported him well and he supported the boys; he was vocal and he spoke on the pitch. In the challenges he was there, really aggressive but no fouls really, maybe one.
"It was a really good game and he deserves the [Man of the Match] award, especially when you know that Jamie Carragher gave him the award – he can understand what he felt tonight.”
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