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Jurgen Klopp Names The Two Players Who Have Improved Most Under His Leadership

Jurgen Klopp Names The Two Players Who Have Improved Most Under His Leadership

"Not far off that is Nat Phillips!"

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has labelled defender Nat Phillips' development since joining the club as "absolutely insane".

In a press conference ahead of this weekend's clash against Wolves - a game they went on to win thanks to a last-minute goal from Divock Origi - the German spoke about those who have made the biggest improvements under his guidance.

Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski, who spent a number of years working alongside Klopp at Borussia Dortmund, got a worthy mention but it was Phillips' name that grabbed the attention. You can check out the clip below.

Klopp began: "People ask me which player made the biggest improvement under my leadership and I said Robert Lewandowski and that's probably right, but not far off that is Nat Phillips.

"It is just a completely different department, but I remember when I first saw Nat Phillips, after the game - and he is one of the smartest players I've ever had.

"I spoke to him and said, 'You know you are not easy on the eye?' He then improved in pretty much everything - everything - and he is not playing here. Life is sometimes not fair."

Klopp continued: "We cannot keep him forever, but it is clear in the moment we needed him to be safe for the half-year for sure.

"We will see what happens in the winter [transfer window] but we needed him here and he was fine doing it because he's a great guy. The development is absolutely insane, honestly.

"You saw it last year, when you thought about Nat Phillips you thought, 'Oh my God, he plays in the last line' and stuff like this, but the way he played... yes, we love him because of his heading, but with his feet meanwhile he's unbelievable.

"He was just a late starter, but from there on it was absolutely insane and I would sign him for each club I would be at apart from Liverpool because we [already] have him."

Phillips, who joined Liverpool's academy in 2016 after a spell at Bolton, has been heavily linked with a move away from Anfield in recent weeks, with Newcastle and West Ham reportedly interested.

The 24-year-old made 20 appearances under Jurgen Klopp last season after injuries to key men, but the centre-back has been restricted to just two games against Preston and Atletico Madrid this campaign.

Do you think Philips deserves more game time at Anfield? Or should he move elsewhere for regular first-team football?

Let us know in the comments.

Featured Image Credit:

Topics: Liverpool, Football, Robert Lewandowski, Premier League, Borussia Dortmund, Jurgen Klopp, Bayern Munich