13 Jun 2021 19:00:11
Stand by my comment the other day on Phillips even though a few disagree. He was immense tonight against a decent Croatia midfield. I think we should be looking at him he would definitely improve us. Used to the high energy having been with bielsa, home grown and wouldn't need adjusting too much. Seems more of a risk to spend big on an untested signing from abroad for me. I appreciate it would probably cost a fair sum to get him and Ed will say we have no interest. Personally just think he'd fit.

{Ed077's Note - doesn't he play a similar position to Fabinho, who was World Class 1 year ago??

1.) 13 Jun 2021
13 Jun 2021 19:12:20
He didn't for England today, he was further forward of rice in abit more of an advanced role.

{Ed077's Note - understood

2.) 13 Jun 2021
13 Jun 2021 19:26:00
Rice played that role today, Phillips was further forward.
100% long pass accuracy
94% pass accuracy
3/ 4 take ons
1 assist.
Not a bad effort.

{Ed077's Note - okay, thanks for the stats.

3.) 13 Jun 2021
13 Jun 2021 20:25:17
Lots of fouls.

4.) 13 Jun 2021
13 Jun 2021 20:34:54
He was very impressive!

5.) 13 Jun 2021
13 Jun 2021 21:37:50
Do we need to buy every player who has a good game?
Leeds wouldn’t want to let him go, he’s far too important to them.

6.) 13 Jun 2021
13 Jun 2021 21:47:29
Buying on the basis of a tournament performance always works well, right?

7.) 13 Jun 2021
13 Jun 2021 21:58:58
Spot on, Mikey. Don’t know where all this love-in with Phillips comes from suddenly. We will not be signing every play that had a good game for England or any other team so not fussed about it. MOTD fever, me thinks.

8.) 13 Jun 2021
13 Jun 2021 22:00:55
Hes a leeds lad so whilst their in the prem and have Bielsa I think he'll stay there.

9.) 14 Jun 2021
14 Jun 2021 02:28:02
Would cost a fortune.

Today's performance added another cool 10 mil. As will each game if he Carrie's on.

Best to leave buying british unless on a free, champsionship/ good deal or the academy.

Far to expensive. Ben white going to go circa 45 mil. We got gomez for 3.4 so keep it like that for the home grown.

{Ed0666's Note - would rather have bissouma or nehaus

10.) 14 Jun 2021
14 Jun 2021 07:31:42
Just because he's a good player doesn't mean he is a right fit for our system. For me, his lack of mobility is a massive concern. He can get away with it at Leeds where he is holding and has a lot of runners in front of him and with England. He would never get away with it at Liverpool.

Someone with better mobility who is a "busier" midfielder is what we need. The qualities we need are good at pressing, good transition player who can protect the ball and carry it up the pitch, obviously good passing and if they can break into the box and make a contribution with goals that would be a bonus.

So for me the ideal player is Neuhaus. The early indications are that is happening and I am very happy with that. If that doesn't come to fruition, I would also be happy with Bissouma, Sabitzer and Gravenberch. There's a few others I would also be happy with.

11.) 14 Jun 2021
14 Jun 2021 08:40:36
Spot on, Rufusthered. Like I said, MOTD fever.

12.) 14 Jun 2021
14 Jun 2021 10:09:04
I don't think it's MOTD fever when the lad has been great all season. MOTD fever is more a few brilliant games recently but not very good all the time whereas Phillips has been very good.

He would be too expensive though, would prefer Bissouma myself.

13.) 14 Jun 2021
14 Jun 2021 12:18:46
Definitely not motd fever. I've seen a lot of Leeds this year and originally posted before his performance y'day. Rufusthered you clearly haven't watched him as you've pretty much described him 🤣 anyway just my humble opinion. I'll back whoever we sign and hope they hit the ground running.

14.) 14 Jun 2021
14 Jun 2021 13:50:46
English premium will likely mean cost I'd too high. Really like him though. maybe if Leeds were to get relegated we could pounce.

Jones should be our focus. He s not all there yet but he s progressing nicely every season. Looking forward to seeing how he looks next season.

15.) 14 Jun 2021
14 Jun 2021 14:17:53
Well montstar I seen him play plenty of times as I enjoy watching Leeds so your humble opinion is wrong there.

He is relatively slow so would not be ideal for making quick breaks or carrying the ball up the field. I've had a look at his stats. His top speed yesterday was 25.4 km/ h. In comparison Mason Mount's top speed was 31.5 km/ h. In fact, the only starter for England slower than him was Declan Rice.

The areas of the pitch he covers has improved since he was in the Championship but is still uncomparable to the likes of Wjnaldum, Henderson and Milner.

{Ed025's Note - speed is not everything in midfield rufus, did you ever see jan molby play mate?..

16.) 14 Jun 2021
14 Jun 2021 14:33:29
Phillips has shown class for sometime definitely not motd fever, would love him at LFC.

17.) 14 Jun 2021
14 Jun 2021 15:28:54
I think it is all a matter of playing style Ed025.

Alonso wasn't quick but it didn't really matter too much the way we played with him as a quarterback carving up the opposition's midfield with cutting through balls.

I also remember Pirlo in his later years didn't really move about the pitch too much. His fellow midfielders were a lot busier than he was in terms of pressing and dribbling whilst he would sit deeper playing glorious long balls like sat nav.

For us, and in particular for the midfielder we should be looking to buy, I think a new addition has to be someone who will be all over the pitch, will help lead the press and quickly carry the ball up the field. Over the last five years, Henderson, Milner and Wijnaldum have been the main guys to carry out that role. Wijnaldum's left, Milner is in the twilight of his career now and over the next couple of seasons there will probably be a passing of the torch with Henderson. There will be a transition to a new starting midfielder in his place as he isn't getting any younger and he is getting more and more injury prone.

Therefore the type of midfielder that we need to prioritise needs to have the physical capabilities to carry out that role.

18.) 14 Jun 2021
14 Jun 2021 15:28:54
I think it is all a matter of playing style Ed025.

Alonso wasn't quick but it didn't really matter too much the way we played with him as a quarterback carving up the opposition's midfield with cutting through balls.

I also remember Pirlo in his later years didn't really move about the pitch too much. His fellow midfielders were a lot busier than he was in terms of pressing and dribbling whilst he would sit deeper playing glorious long balls like sat nav.

For us, and in particular for the midfielder we should be looking to buy, I think a new addition has to be someone who will be all over the pitch, will help lead the press and quickly carry the ball up the field. Over the last five years, Henderson, Milner and Wijnaldum have been the main guys to carry out that role. Wijnaldum's left, Milner is in the twilight of his career now and over the next couple of seasons there will probably be a passing of the torch with Henderson. There will be a transition to a new starting midfielder in his place as he isn't getting any younger and he is getting more and more injury prone.

Therefore the type of midfielder that we need to prioritise needs to have the physical capabilities to carry out that role.

{Ed025's Note - fair enough rufus mate..

19.) 14 Jun 2021
14 Jun 2021 18:09:11
For me, he lacks the mobility to play in our system as a CM. His positional sense is also off maybe due to the way Leeds play which is that they often man mark their opponents instead of playing in zones where the opposing play will be. He also committed too many fouls meaning he is out of position and panics. I would not want him here cos there are a lot better players out there. Good player BUT not LFC material, IMO.