It will most likely forever be the most unique Liverpool debut. And, for Nat Phillips, it set the tone for one of the strangest of Anfield careers.
Phillips was spending the 2019/20 season on loan at Stuttgart when, with the German second division side on their winter break, the call came over Christmas for the defender to return to Liverpool.
Injuries to fellow centre-backs Joel Matip and Dejan Lovren meant Phillips was instantly among the substitutes for the home Premier League win over Sheffield United on January 2. And with Virgil van Dijk in need of a breather after a hectic first half of the season in which the Reds had not long returned from winning the Club World Cup in Qatar, Phillips was thrust into the starting line-up for a shock bow in the FA Cup third round tie at home to Everton three days later.
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Having helped Jurgen Klopp's side progress with a clean sheet in a memorable 1-0 win, Phillips was an unused substitute the following week at Tottenham Hotspur before returning to Stuttgart, his curious cameo at an end.
Now Everton are in opposition at Anfield once again on Monday night in the Premier League. And rather than merely answer an emergency call due to injury, Phillips this time has a strong claim for being in the starting line-up on merit.
Plenty, of course, has happened to the 25-year-old between those two derbies. The season following his debut, he was the unexpected solution to a centre-back injury crisis and, by the end of the campaign, had become a regular by making 20 appearances - 17 in the Premier League and three in the Champions League - to help the Reds secure an unlikely third-placed finish.
Phillips, though, has always been aware of his place in the pecking order. Once Van Dijk, Matip and Joe Gomez had recovered from their long-term issues, and with new signing Ibrahima Konate in the fold, in 2021/22 Phillips played a half against Preston North End in the League Cup, a brief cameo in the home Champions League win over Atletico Madrid and, in the same competition, produced an impressive performance when starting the win at AC Milan.
Indeed, as Liverpool chased a quadruple, Phillips spent the second half of the season on loan at Bournemouth, with his contribution in helping the Cherries back to the Premier League earning public praise from Jurgen Klopp mere minutes after the Reds had won through to the Champions League final.
This term has seen more of the same. Another injury crisis saw Phillips thrust into the starting line-up in the first home Premier League game against Crystal Palace, followed by another start against Derby in the League Cup and three further substitute appearances.
Phillips has constantly been linked with a move away, with Liverpool mindful of the need for regular football for a player who is fast approaching what should be the prime years of his career. Rhys Williams, his centre-back partner at the end of the 2021, was recalled last month from his loan at Preston to cover for Phillips' expected departure.
But just when he thought he was out, the latest injuries to Van Dijk and then Konate have pulled Phillips back in. And it would be wise for Klopp to consider his claims for Monday.
Against Wolves, Liverpool were accused - by Jamie Carragher among others - of lacking leadership at the heart of defence, while a growing problem at set-pieces was also exposed.
The height of Phillips would offer obvious assistance to the latter issue, but what is often overlooked is his attitude that has so impressed Klopp and the coaching staff since stepping up to first-team duty, a calming influence that can lead by example, as was shown two years ago. His team-mates respond to him.
Then there are the statistics. Since making his Premier League debut, Phillips has won on average more of his aerial duels (67.8%) than either Matip (65%) and Gomez (57.1%). While his tackle success percentage is behind both Matip and Gomez, Phillips has made on average a similar number of tackles and interceptions but has made more clearances and blocks while yet to make a defensive error that has led directly to a goal. A lack of pace and slightly lesser distribution count against him, but there's little doubt Phillips is a pure defender.
And that might well be what Liverpool need if, as is likely, Van Dijk isn't quite ready for Monday. Phillips remains a Liverpool player - and, has been shown in the past, there is always a time and place for his qualities to be utilised.
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