01 Mar 2021 09:56:38
If we started next season with Phillips as our fourth choice specialist centre-half, and assuming we had three good, first-team standard, injury free options ahead of him (not including Fabinho and Hendo), I would be perfectly happy with that. I would maybe even go so far as to say that if Phillips got a run of matches with van Dijk alongside him, Alisson behind him and Fabinho in front of him, I think we could see even better things from Phillips.

If we assume that van Dijk and Gomez will be back to full fitness for the start of next season and that Matip will, sadly, never be somebody we can count on to be regularly available, because of injuries, then I guess the extent to which we need to bring in another centre half will depend on how the rest of the season plays out for Kabak and Davies, but in terms of the back up options, I think Phillips is ideal.

I do wonder if Phillips has suffered from being pre-judged as an "old school" style defender. I recall after the first West Ham match Klopp said something about Phillips comparing him to Klopp himself as a player and basically saying he's an old fashioned, no-nonsense defender. He seems to have been eighth choice this season (i. e. van Dijk, Gomez, Matip, Williams, Fabinho, Henderson and Kabak all appear to have been in front of him), but he's barely put a foot wrong when he's been called on.


1.) 01 Mar 2021
01 Mar 2021 10:23:53
At the end of the day a defenders main aim is to keep clean sheets, if they can do all the fancy stuff it's a bonus.

He just doesn't see fancied by Klopp, no idea why I can only assume his pace. I'm with you in that he hasn't put a foot wrong and I don't see who we get that would be better as a 4th choice. I would definitely pick him over Williams who seems very raw.

I think we will let Matip go in the summer (if we can find a suitor) and maybe allow Klopp to get his starting CB (money permitting) leaving us VVD, new starter, Gomez and Nat. With Fab as emergency cover.

But Thursday's line up will show us Klopp's hand. I think he will put Fab in at CB. Personally I would get him in midfield where he is at his best and keep with Nat and Kabak at CB to let them build some form of understanding.


2.) 01 Mar 2021
01 Mar 2021 10:25:15
I think the majority of fans believe Phillips has done a good job whenever he's played but I can't his future being at Liverpool. I really hope he finds a club in the summer where he'll be first choice and have a long successful career.


3.) 01 Mar 2021
01 Mar 2021 10:39:52
RR his positional sense in todays match was shocking think of the free header Sheff United had in the second half as an example, there was probably 5 other occasions I can also think of.


4.) 01 Mar 2021
01 Mar 2021 10:47:10
I think Phillips has done ok when he’s played. Will be nice to see him get a consistent run of games so he can be judged accordingly. The injury crisis at the back for me this season kind of proves how much we take Gomez for granted. Yes he makes a few mistakes now and again but he has the full package. Matip is a top quality player as well but we cannot get him on the pitch consistently and as he gets older I’d imagine the injuries and niggles will get worse. Kabak and Phillips should be given time now to form an understanding and partnership to give them every opportunity to impress. Sadly though I can see Fab being shoe horned back in there when he returns. And it will most likely be at Phillips expense.


5.) 01 Mar 2021
01 Mar 2021 11:03:31
He can defend and that is rare to see in the game today. Too much hang up on defenders being good on the ball and people have forgotten that it doesn't matter how good you are on the ball if you can't defend.


6.) 01 Mar 2021
01 Mar 2021 11:37:17
You also have to be realistic about what you need in a fourth choice centre back. It's a bit like a reserve keeper or fourth striker (or third striker if you only play two up front) . You have to accept that you're not going to have the absolute top-level as fourth choice, because what top level player at their peak wants to sit on the bench for 90% of the season. But you want somebody who is good enough not to be completely exposed and out of their depth when they come in.

And I think you also have to assume that its very rare to have your first three centre-halves all with season ending injuries.

If Phillips can be for us what the likes of John O Shea, Wes Brown and Jonny Evans were for Utd, I think that's ideal. Those three were never going to push Ferdinand or Vidic out of the team, but they could come in and do a reasonably solid job when they needed to.


7.) 01 Mar 2021
01 Mar 2021 11:43:44
Phillips has acquitted himself well overall BUT not going to say that he has not put a foot wrong cos trust me, yesterday alone he made 3 glaring errors that on another day, we get done. Same with Kabak. Klopp does not fancy him and via the errors, we can kind of see why. He may not be good on the ball BUT he is not also the best in terms of his positional awareness either. All these things count in modern football.

Ben Davies may be the one to take his place if Phillips is let go this summer and if Matip is also let go then, either Kabak (if he can make the step) or another CF will be brought in, IMO.


8.) 01 Mar 2021
01 Mar 2021 11:51:51
Olired - but what have you based the Davies replaces Phillips idea on as none of us has seen him play at this level yet.


9.) 01 Mar 2021
01 Mar 2021 12:51:55
The problem with our CB situation as I see it, is not Van Dijk, Kabak, Phillips, Davies or Matip but Joe Gomez. I am a massive fan of Joe but he has now had three major injuries all sustained in non-contact situations with no other player near him. I think those who expect him to come back in and be first choice are extremely optimistic.