Ex-Leeds United man Noel Whelan believes Liverpool hero Nat Phillips should choose to stay put at Anfield for the next season and fight for his place in the starting teamsheet despite the arrival of Ibrahima Konate.
The Reds have made their first signing of the summer transfer window in Konate who joins the Anfield camp in a five-year-long deal and is expected to give serious competition for the centre-back spot to the likes of Joe Gomez and Joel Matip.
Phillips, who enjoyed a tremendous second-half of the recently concluded Premier League season for Jurgen Klopp’s injury-hit side, is tipped by many to fall down the pecking order at the club and struggle for regular first-team football.
However, Whelan believes that this should not deter Phillips whom he has insisted to give his best and present himself as a major contender for the starting role which is what Klopp might want to see from his young defensive name.
“It’s hard to go back. After you’ve had that taste of being in the team and you’ve been given that opportunity,” Whelan told Football Insider.
“He has a lot to contend with at Liverpool. Key players are coming back but that’s where the challenge lies.
“You see what people are made of and what character they have. Does he want to fight for it?
“This is what you need at a big club. There’s always competition. It can sometimes bring the best out of you.
“Or you can take the easy option and move on. Go and play week in, week out somewhere else.
“I’m sure Klopp wants to see fire in his belly. Stay and fight. It could be beneficial for Liverpool.”
