Klopp opens up on Liverpool centre-halves and what future holds

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has opened up on his beliefs for what the future holds for young centre back partners Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams.

Phillips and Williams started their fourth successive game in Wednesday’s win over Burnley, with the Reds picking up a maximum of 12 points from those matches.

Though they at times appeared to struggle to contain the threat of Chris Wood against the Clarets, Phillips and Williams ultimately helped their side to secure a clean sheet at Turf Moor.

The emergence of the Liverpool academy pair as first team options has been a major boost to Klopp, who saw senior defenders Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip all struck down by injury.

The four wins that Liverpool have secured in their recent Premier League matches have proved crucial, with Klopp’s side now holding their hopes of finishing in the top four in their own hands.

Phillips also scored his side’s second goal against Burnley, with Klopp delighted with his young centre-backs.

“The chance [Rhys Williams and Phillips] got now and how they used it. These kinds of things make careers,” he said.

“I don't think many would have thought Phillips would be a starter for Liverpool and now he scores. It's very nice. But it's too early to talk about it.

“In this position we have to wrap them up in cotton wool and go again. There is nothing decided yet. After a long, long time we didn't really know where we would end.

“Now we are in a European league and we need to secure the Champions League on the last day. There are really important football games on the last day.”

Phillips and Williams are in line to start once again when Crystal Palace visit Anfield for the final game of the Premier League season, with the Reds needing to match Leicester’s result to secure Champions League football next term.

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