Nat Phillips: I preferred clearing off the line to scoring a goal!
Nathaniel Phillips insisted he took more satisfaction from a goalline clearance than netting his first Liverpool goal in the 3-0 win over Burnley.
The centre-back produced a Man of the Match performance at Turf Moor on Wednesday night as the Reds secured three points that moved them into fourth place in the Premier League table.
Roberto Firmino broke the deadlock shortly before the interval and Phillips then powerfully headed in Sadio Mane’s cross to open his account for the club.
He was required to nod away Ben Mee’s effort from under the crossbar soon after to keep his side two goals ahead – and substitute Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain sealed the victory late on.
Phillips spoke to Sky Sports post-match. Read his interview below…
On being back in fourth, with a clean sheet, improved goal difference and his first Liverpool goal…
Massive, like you say. Most importantly, [we’re] up into fourth – that was our goal coming here today. All the rest of it are just added bonuses. At this point in the season now, with what we’re trying to achieve, it doesn’t matter how we win games; as long as we get the three points, that’s all that matters.
On the importance of momentum now for the Reds…
Obviously the pressure is on, there’s no room for inconsistency or being lax with our performances at this stage. We know we have to win every game, so we’ve had to take it up a level and make sure that we’re performing consistently – and if not performing, at least grinding results out.
On how hard they were pushed by Burnley…
Really hard. It was a really tough, physical game, one of the toughest I’ve had all season. So, credit to Burnley, they made it difficult for us. But it was nice to see that we managed to score three goals and take our chances, which is something that we have struggled to do throughout the season a bit.
On whether he was more pleased with scoring or his goalline clearance…
Clearance off the line – every time! It’s my job to stop the ball from going in the net, to stop goals. If I can get on the scoresheet, happy days, a bit of a bonus. But I’d much rather have a clean sheet.
On the difference it makes psychologically that finishing in the top four is in Liverpool’s hands…
Not much because all we can do is concentrate on our games and make sure we win all of them. Obviously we know that if we win the next game, as long as Leicester don’t go on to score a load of goals in theirs, then our job has been done. But you never go into a game thinking, ‘If we draw we’re alright.’ You go into every game wanting to win the match. That doesn’t change and it’s the same at the weekend.
On Sunday’s season finale…
I’m looking forward to it, it’s going to be a good weekend. I’m excited. What we’ve got to do now is recover, rest up, prepare ourselves – one last push and hopefully finish in that Champions League spot.