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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Ricky Charlesworth

Nat Phillips opens up on Bournemouth loan after "dining out" on Liverpool moment

Nat Phillips hasn't had many chances to shine for Liverpool in recent months.

The defender only made three appearances this season for Jurgen Klopp's side, after a breakthrough campaign last year when he and fellow untried centre-half Rhys Williams rose to prominence.

But arguably one of the highlights for Phillips this season was not only playing the full 90 minutes in a Champions League win over Milan in the San Siro, but his audacious Cruyff turn inside his own area during the match.

It was a stellar piece of skill that completely fooled famous Milan forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Despite helping the Reds seal a 2-1 win which ensured they became the first English side to win all six Champions League group games, that match proved to be bittersweet for Phillips.

Can Phillips aid Bournemouth into sealing automatic promotion? Let us know in the comments section

He suffered a fractured cheekbone in the contest that laid him low ever since.

But now he's back to fitness and is targeting a prolonged period of games having secured a temporary loan switch away from Anfield.

Phillips signed a deal with Championship side Bournemouth on deadline day. He is now aiming to help Scott Parker's side seal a return to the Premier League following relegation in 2020.

Speaking about that Cruyff turn that went viral, Phillips told Bournemouth's website: "I'd probably say I have been dining out on it!

"I've had a lot of compliments over it and obviously it got quite a bit of attention, so that was nice.

"I can't promise that I'll be doing it for the Cherries! But if it's an occasion where it's necessary, I can't rule it out."

Phillips also issued an update on his cheekbone injury.

He added: "The cheekbone's all fine now. It was probably only sore for one week after the collision but because the bone had broken, they had to give it enough time to heal.

"That time has passed now and I've not had any issues."

Phillips was one of five signings made by the Cherries on a frantic deadline day.

As well as recruiting the 24-year-old on loan, they also signed Cardiff and Wales striker Kieffer Moore, Norwich midfielder Todd Cantwell (loan) and Peterborough's Siriki Dembele.

Goalkeeper Freddie Woodman also arrived from Newcastle to bolster what looks, on paper, as the strongest squad in the second tier.

Speaking about his new venture, Phillips added: "Interest had been growing throughout the window and it was an option that I was really excited about because of the club's ambition, and I've heard a lot of good things about the club.

"So I'm very excited to be here and looking forward to getting started.

“I've had a look at the fixtures coming up, some of the past fixtures and a little scan over the history, but like you say, it has been a busy transfer window and I think that's reflective of the club's aspirations, which as a player just excites you.

"I want to get back to playing games again and continue to develop and improve and bring as much as I can to the team and the club."

Phillips could make his Bournemouth debut on Sunday when they host non-league side Boreham Wood in the FA Cup fourth round.

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