Like some of his team-mates, the defender was so determined to ensure he can contribute to the cause for the Reds that he cut his holiday short to link up with the squad again at the Aon Training Complex.

However, such is his modesty and selflessness, our no.4 admitted he wasn’t sure why such a fuss was made of his eagerness to make an early start to his preparations for 2018/19.

“Somebody asked me about it the other day and I don’t think it was as big a deal as the media and the public were making out,” Phil said.