'I knew' - Nat Phillips makes Liverpool transfer admission after Celtic move

Nat Phillips has revealed that he knew that he needed to leave Liverpool this summer.

The 26-year-old completed a six-month loan move to Scottish Premiership champions Celtic prior to the deadline on September 1 and was in attendance to watch Brendan Rodgers' side claim the points in their first Old Firm derby of the season prior to the international break.

Phillips is now in line to make his first appearance for his new club this weekend, at home to Dundee, with the prospect of the Champions League looming next week when Celtic take on Feyenoord in their opening Group E encounter on Tuesday.

Speaking to the Scottish media for the first time since his switch, the defender admitted that this summer was the time to depart the Reds.

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"I've gone through a period at Liverpool where I've not been playing a great deal," Phillips said.

"Ultimately, in the transfer window, I knew that I needed to go and get games regularly somewhere. Celtic have given me a great opportunity to do that at a good level and at a huge club.

"The stadium is always packed full of fans which, as a player, you want. You want to be playing in those atmospheres at a club with high aspirations."

Phillips was pushed on whether the loan would be extended at the turn of the year, given the depth of central defenders at Rodgers' disposal. Currently, there is an injury problem at the back for Celtic, with the Liverpool man's addition easing the growing issues, following spells on the sidelines for Cameron Carter-Vickers, Stephen Welsh and Malik Nawrocki.

Phillips said: "Ultimately there will