Jurgen Klopp has compared the rate at which Nat Phillips has improved over the last 12 months to that of Robert Lewandowski during his time at Borussia Dortmund.
The 24-year-old played an important role at the back for Liverpool last season after their campaign was hampered by an injury crisis. However, he has since struggled to cement a regular place in the team.
Nevertheless, Klopp says Phillips is 'one of the smartest players' he has ever worked with and credited the defender with having 'unbelievable' feet.
'I have to mention Nat Phillips,' Klopp said. 'People often ask me which player made the biggest improvements under my leadership, and I say Robert Lewandowski.
'That's probably right, but not far off that is Nat Phillips, just in a completely different department.
'I remember when I saw Nat Phillips first. I spoke to him after the game and he's one of the smartest players I ever worked with. I told him, 'You know you are not the easiest on the eye, eh?'
'He improved in pretty much everything since, and he's not playing. Life is sometimes not fair and I can't blame him.
'We cannot keep him forever, that's clear. We needed him, just to be safe, for that half-year. We will see what happens in the window. He was fine doing it because he's a great guy.
'His development is absolutely insane. You saw it last year, you would have said 'Nat Phillips, oh my god, he plays in the last line?'
'People love him because of his heading but with his feet he is unbelievable. He's a late starter, but his development is unbelievable. I would sign him for any club except Liverpool, because we have him.'
Phillips spent years plying his trade in the Liverpool academy before heading out on loan to Stuttgart in 2. Bundesliga during the 2019-20 season.
The defender was then drafted in to the Liverpool first XI last season after Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Joel Matip and others were ruled out injured.
Phillips impressed during the 20 appearances he was afford but has struggled to cement his place in the starting XI this term.
As a result, the 24-year-old has been linked with a move away from Anfield, with several Premier League giants vying for his signature.