Phillips' Candid Take on Trading Liverpool for Celtic

The Anfield Sidelines: Nat Phillips’ Struggle for Playtime

In the vast theatre of Anfield, many actors have graced the stage. Some in fleeting moments and others with a defining presence. Nat Phillips, at 26, finds himself somewhere in between. Having been on the periphery of Jurgen Klopp’s grand Liverpool narrative, Phillips had stints away, notably at VfB Stuttgart and more recently, Bournemouth.

Yet, it was in a recent press gathering that Phillips shed light on his relationship with Liverpool. “I’ve gone through a period at Liverpool where I’ve not been playing a great deal,” he reflected candidly.

Trading Anfield for Celtic Park

The summer transfer window marked a change of scenery for Phillips, who headed to Celtic. The reason? A blend of professional development and an appetite for consistent game time. “Ultimately, in the transfer window, I knew that I needed to go and get games regularly somewhere. Celtic have given me a great opportunity to do that at a good level and at a huge club,” he added.

Reminiscing The Champions League Quest

It would be an oversight to not remember Phillips’ pivotal role in navigating Liverpool to the UEFA Champions League spots during the tumultuous 2020/21 season. However, post that defining period, Phillips found himself more as an observer than a contributor.

Celtic: A Promise of Aspiration and Atmosphere

For any footballer, the roar of the crowd, the packed terraces, and the sheer magnitude of the club’s aspirations are irresistible. Phillips is no different. “The stadium is always packed full of fans which, as a player, you want. You want to be playing in those atmospheres at a club with high aspirations,” he mused.

The Future: A Question Still Unanswered

While there’s a great deal of excitement around Phillips’ journey at Celtic, the potential length of this chapter remains undetermined. “Ultimately there will be a review and a conversation in January, I don’t know exactly when the other boys are back fit. We’ve not had the conversation about that,” he responded when quizzed about the possibility of an extended stay.

The Spark of Celtic’s Interest

But how did Celtic come into the picture? Phillips recalls the time leading up to the move, “Two or three days before I signed, [interest had previously been] throughout the window and there had been different clubs thrown around but Celtic jumped out as one I was excited to progress.”