Robbie Fowler has told the Sunday Mirror (23/5; page 65) that Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams have shown that they both have big futures ahead after leaving Liverpool with a defence that no Premier League rival would have initially wanted.
The Reds on the cusp of an incredible achievement this season. Jurgen Klopp’s men know that victory on the final day will guarantee a top four finish.
It has been a remarkable turnaround given that they were four points off the top four with five games remaining. And third place Leicester had a game in hand at that time.
Of course, a number of players have stepped up again in recent weeks. But few have silenced their doubters of late quite like Phillips.
He produced a colossal performance at Burnley in midweek. It was a display that was lauded by many of the fans. And it really represented the improvement the Reds have made at the back.
Only Real Madrid and Manchester United have managed to put more than one past Liverpool since the end of February. And Fowler suggested that Phillips and Williams deserve huge credit for proving so many wrong.
“The injuries they had were horrendous, and they ended up with a central defence that no team in the Premier League would have wanted,” he told the Sunday Mirror (23/5; page 65).
“Nat Phillips is a cult hero for what he’s done, but he wasn’t getting near the first-team. Rhys Williams has been fantastic, but he’s looked like a little boy at times. Fair play to both of them. I think they’ve shown they have big futures.”
Phillips and Williams have arguably taken a lot of pressure off of Klopp heading into this summer.
While neither is probably going to be a first-choice starter once Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez are back, they have shown that they have the ability to impress at the highest level.
Phillips, in particular, could be a player who really thrives alongside someone like van Dijk. Williams meanwhile, is just 20, so there is time for the England under-21 international to get much better still.
It would be wise to strengthen further in case Liverpool endure more bad luck next season. But as Fowler suggests, some of those who have stepped in have proved to be revelations for the Reds.