Back in the summer of 2016, 26-year-old defender Nathaniel Phillips joined Liverpool from Bolton. After a poor first-team campaign, he spent time on loan at Stuttgart, where he made a name for himself in the 2020/21 season by anchoring a back line that was hit by a string of injuries.
However, the following season, when the injured players returned, he lost his place and settled into the 5th position at center back. From an environment where he was not even allowed to play in cup competitions, he spent six months at Bournemouth from January 2022, contributing to the club’s promotion.
That summer, he was expected to leave the club on a full transfer, but talks of a move did not progress, and his time passed as a backup backup to the center backs. Last summer, a transfer to Celtic was concluded just in time for the transfer deadline. The contract was a loan transfer for a period of six months.
Although he was expected to play well in Scotland, he played only eight games and returned to Liverpool at the end of his contract. According to This Is Anfield, he is likely to stay for the second half of the season as a backup to Joel Matip and the final line, which has suffered a string of injuries to the left back.
Similarly, Fabio Carvalho and Rhys Williams, who left on loan transfers before the season, returned to Anfield this winter after failing to make the grade at their loan destinations. However, both are looking for new clubs and are expected to be released on loan once again.
With Liverpool rumored to have a new center back as a priority next season, there is no future for “handyman” Nat Phillips. Will he be able to spend the remaining six months at Liverpool and get the move he has always wanted this summer?