Liverpool have a ‘top’ player in their ranks who ‘brings the team together’, says Bundesliga boss

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Liverpool defender Nathaniel Phillips has been praised by Pellegrino Matarazzo, in conversation with Sky Sports.

The 24-year-old began the season as a good prospect for the Reds but a personnel crisis at centre-back has seen him surge into first-team contention.

To date, Phillips has made 13 competitive appearances for Jurgen Klopp’s side, 12 of which have come this season alone.

His centre-back partnership with Ozan Kabak has seen Liverpool record three clean sheets in a row and four when you include the Sheffield United match.

Their efforts have helped the previously struggling Reds pick up form and remain with a good chance of a top-four finish.

Prior to making his Premier League debut against West Ham in October, Phillips’ only experience of senior league football had come in Germany’s second tier.

He helped Stuttgart earn promotion back to the Bundesliga and, speaking to Sky Sports, head coach Matarazzo spoke highly of his former on-loan player.

“He is a good guy so I am happy for him that he is doing so well at Liverpool,” he said.

“It is not a surprise how he has handled this. He is a top character. You cannot get much better as a human being.

“He is a great guy who is very ambitious. He needed to get his chance but I am not surprised that he has taken that chance.”

“Nat is a great team player. He works hard on the pitch. He is a guy who brings the team together, on the field and off the field. He brings a lot of emotion into his game, goes hard into the tackles.”

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It’s not been the easiest of seasons for Liverpool, with so many injuries sidelining so many key stars.

This, however, means that players who may have previously struggled to get a chance are now doing so.

Phillips is one of those who’s shown what he’s capable of, with Klopp previously deeming him an “aerial monster” with “absolutely incredible” concentration.