Liverpool central defender Nat Phillips has signed a new four-year deal to stay at the club until 2025.
The 24-year-old had previously been tipped to leave Anfield during the summer transfer window following a rapid rise to prominence last season.
Phillips was called upon to resurrect the Reds’ campaign on the back of a host of injuries in the defensive department.
The renewal was confirmed by the club’s official website and Twitter on Tuesday evening as many awaited potential news of a departure.
Twitter: Nat Phillips has signed a new long-term deal with the Reds
(@LFC)
The no-nonsense centre-back admitted he was ‘excited’ to extend a five-year spell on Merseyside.
Formerly a Bolton youth product, Phillips spent a season on loan at VfB Stuttgart in Germany prior to excelling at the heart of Jurgen Klopp’s defence last term.
Described as a ‘monster’ by Klopp, there will certainly be delight among many that the ace is staying at Anfield.
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Currently enjoying a career-high market value at £7.2million (Transfermarkt), the club would likely have been tempted to cash in on their defensive colossus.
Phillips looks set to spend the season as the fifth choice centre-back behind Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip, Joe Gomez and Ibrahima Konate.
Perhaps given the injury woes last term following the departure of Dejan Lovren, the club were unwilling to leave themselves short in the department once again.
Meanwhile, Phillips’ partner for the most part, Rhys Williams, has also signed a new long-term deal whilst confirming a season long loan switch to Swansea City.
