Liverpool defender Nat Phillips has revealed a heart-to-heart with manager Jurgen Klopp before the start of the season.

Phillips spent the majority of last season on loan at Stuttgart in Germany and was heavily linked with a transfer away from Anfield.

“Nothing formal other than over the summer," he said when asked by the club website how often he has spoken to the Liverpool boss.

“We obviously didn't really know what was happening then, that was the last formal chat we had with regards to what my plan was and obviously the situation was completely different then.

“Since then, we've had the odd exchange of words. If it looks like I'm going to be playing at the weekend he'll just ask me if I feel that I'm ready.

“And like I said before, he just tells me to enjoy myself and play my game like he knows that I can do."

Phillips added: “I don't think you could ever say you're fully settled because every day you are competing for a place in the squad.

“So I think you would be a bit foolish to get too comfortable because every day you've got to be working hard to make sure you're in the squad at the weekend."