Liverpool defender Nat Phillips says they wouldn't be in next season's Champions League without Ozan Kabak.

Kabak spent the second-half of the season on-loan from Schalke, but was released by the Reds.

Phillips told liverpoolfc.com: “At Liverpool there is always going to be high competition for a place on the pitch. No matter who you are, you don't have a right to play for them and certainly not myself, having only played a handful of games when the new boys came in.

“It didn't surprise me [when Kabak and Ben Davies were signed]. I knew the situation the club was in, in terms of personnel, centre-backs and injuries, and we needed more players in that position.

“For me, it was just a case of when I get my opportunity to play as well as possible and do as much as I can to take it and make sure I retain the place. That's how I approached it.

“Ozzy came in and did a good job. He helped us out massively. I don't think we'd have finished the season the way we did if he hadn't come over and helped us out so much."