LOANEE Nat Phillips revealed parent club Liverpool are regularly keeping tabs on his progress at Cherries, adding: "They're messaging me often."

Phillips joined Cherries on loan from the Reds on transfer deadline day in January, on a deal until the end of the season.

The 25-year-old was immediately installed into the heart of Cherries' defence, forging a partnership with captain Lloyd Kelly.

He has made eight appearances under Scott Parker so far, having played three times for Liverpool earlier in the campaign, most recently a Champions League game at AC Milan in December.

Bolton-born Phillips has made 24 appearances in total for Liverpool, including 17 in the Premier League last season.

Asked how closely staff at Liverpool are watching him during his time at Cherries, Phillips told the Daily Echo: "They keep tabs on me. They’re messaging me often asking how it’s going, whether I’m going to be playing, how I’m enjoying it, how life is.

"In terms of feedback, they’ve kind of left me to it, because at the end of the day, they don’t want to impede too much on Bournemouth and step on their toes and what they’re expecting of me.

"The main process of this is to get me out and playing football.

"As long as I’m doing that then they’re happy and I’m enjoying it and I think they’re happy for me."

Discussing his time so far at Cherries, Phillips added: "I’m enjoying settling in in terms of into the club, into the area.

"The dressing room is a great set of guys. The manager has been great.

"All the staff at the club. I feel like the fans have taken to me well.

"I’m very much enjoying being here."

Phillips is expected to keep his spot when Cherries return to action on Saturday, hosting Bristol City in the Championship (3pm).