Klopp hails Phillips

Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp described Nathaniel Phillips as a "monster" in the air after his dominating performance on his Premier League debut in Saturday's 2-1 win over West Ham United.

"He's a brilliant guy, a smart guy, intelligent, everything. He knows... we both laugh about it... I was not really easy on the eye and he's not easy on the eye, we're both not (Lionel) Messi but who cares," Klopp told the BBC on Saturday.

"In the air he's a monster and he loves having challenges on the pitch. He was incredible for his first game. I'm pretty sure everybody can imagine how nervy that can be after a long wait."