Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said something surprising.
Nathaniel Phillips was chosen to start ahead of Rhys Williams as the Reds beat West Ham 2-1 at Anfield, but what Klopp said after the game was a bit of an eye-opener.
The 22-year-old played well and came home with a man of the match award – not bad for your debut in the Premier League.
After a good campaign with Stuttgart in the Bundesliga II last season, the former Bolton youth player was expected to leave permanently this summer.
However, that move never materialised and now Phillips has made his top flight bow much sooner than he would have anticipated.
Injuries to Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip and Fabinho have wiped out the entire defensive stable but Williams was still expected to play against West Ham after two good Champions League run-outs.
The youngster, who was on loan at Kidderminster Harriers last season, has done really well but Klopp decided to go for the ‘experience’ of Phillips – who has more senior football under his belt than Williams.
Phillips was supposed to leave the club this summer. Because he didn’t, you’d be forgiven for thinking that was down to a lack of interest – and this is where Klopp’s post-match comments get surprising.
Because the Metro reported that there was a queue of sides looking to take the English defender away from Liverpool. A queue!
The German said over 10 clubs, most of them in the Championship, were interested in Phillips and that speaks a lot to his quality and his personality.
"“12 Championship teams wanted him and to me it was clear he was going, and I was fine with that – and it didn’t work out for whatever reason, and it’s great! ‘Tonight he was spot on, helped the team incredibly.”"
Klopp didn’t give any specifics as to why the deal broke down, but he’ll certainly be relieved about that. Whether Phillips goes on to play any more this season is unknowable, but the player might be glad as well.
A couple more performances like that could land him a move to someone in the Premier League.