Former Newcastle United defender Andy O'Brien was key to Liverpool's swoop for Nat Phillips, it has been revealed.

Phillips has been a revelation in preseason for the Reds, winning high praise from manager Jurgen Klopp.

The Liverpool Echo says Liverpool are indebted to former Newcastle and Bolton Wanderers centre-back Andy O'Brien, who is the club's highly regarded northern UK scout.

Phillips was in the process of leaving Bolton to take up a four-year scholarship at the University of North Carolina in America in 2016 when O'Brien recommended him to the Reds.

He felt that Phillips' willingness to defend, his ability to compete in the air and his first class attitude would give him every chance of carving out a successful professional career.

A trial was swiftly arranged and Phillips impressed sufficiently for the Reds to give him a contract.