21 Oct 2020 16:26:40
Ed1 who do you see as the best options at CB moving forward, obviously Matip and Gomez as first choice with Fab covering, who do you see next choice Rhys Willams or Nat Phillip's or maybe Van Der Berg?

{Ed001's Note - I would prefer not use Fabinho at centre-half at all. I would rather give Phillips or VDB a chance to see what they can do. Not sure I would consider Williams myself from what I saw. Good on the ball and very calm and composed but can't defend at all. His positioning is dreadful and his recovery is slow.}

21 Oct 2020 17:22:57
I don't like the idea of playing players out of position either ED001- we only have to see what happened to Man city to see it does not work long term.
Nat Phillips should be given his chance, he either takes it and thrives or proves to us all he has not got what it takes, the only way we find out is by giving him that chance.

{Ed001's Note - exactly, you are losing them from their strongest position, so weakening there and then putting them out of position where they are going to make errors. It is never a good idea for a long term solution. We only have to take a chance on a youngster until January, that is long enough for them to prove themselves one way or the other.}

21 Oct 2020 17:52:05
Ed01 if Klopp does not play the kids in as much as I would not want players playing out of position hence, out of character, it would simply mean he does not trust them and can one really blame him?

{Ed001's Note - yes, because part of his job is to create a pathway to the first team for the youngsters.}

21 Oct 2020 18:00:50
Ed1 you can't class Phillips as a youngster anymore though mate?

{Ed001's Note - 23 is still a youngster. That is why we have an U-23s system in football. People seem to forget that when they jump on Gomez's back for the slightest little thing.}

21 Oct 2020 18:19:42
I agree Virg out is a big blow but more importantly is the absence of Allison. I think joe Gomez can possibly thrive in Virgils absence and when Allison is back things will definitely improve.

21 Oct 2020 19:03:02
Ed, does Klopp not rate Phillips? Do you think he'll get a chance? Kind of surprised Williams is on the bench tonight instead of Phillips personally.

{Ed001's Note - he doesn't see a future for him at the club.}

21 Oct 2020 19:09:10
Spot on, Ed01. Gomez is way ahead of CB's his age and people keep forgetting that he is just 23 and has WAY more experience than CB's his age and above BUT who cares, yeah? Let us unnecessarily, beat up on him cos he is not yet Sergio Ramos or Rapha Varane who were not as good as he was at CB (Ramos played mostly RB in those days) at his age whereas on top form, he performs better that VVD and has done so many times before.

21 Oct 2020 19:17:54
Thank you for the reply Ed.

{Ed001's Note - very welcome mate. Shame for Phillips as he is probably the best actual defender of the bunch, but the rest of his game is not seen as good enough, apparently.}

21 Oct 2020 19:52:10
I do sympathise with Phillips, as you say a bit more of a traditional defender, works hard puts in tackles can head the ball, I think his passing is a bit missing but still as you say a decent young defender, did well in Germany.

He has only been a model professional during all this and kept his head down!

21 Oct 2020 21:00:52
Klopp also has a responsibility to protect the youngsters. If they come in and we lose 7 2 (which can happen to wc cbs) they will be slated to the point of threatening their career at the highest level.

I don't think Williams is good enough yet, nor do I think Philips is good enough yet. But I am intrigued by vdb.

21 Oct 2020 21:57:50
Williams seems to be current 4th choice centre back. Interesting to see him get a few minutes tonight.

21 Oct 2020 22:07:16
Vdb is the worst from those 3 guys in my opinion. I would pick Philips next to Gomez and put Fabinho where he belongs.

21 Oct 2020 22:34:35
Based on what marto?

Vdb was playing pro at 15 wasn't he? Not sure but I think so. He must have something about him. That's what intrigues me. I dunno if he's good enough yet either but he's a big lad who got bigger over the summer.

21 Oct 2020 21:56:43
I've seen cruise liners turn faster than VDB, No where near ready.

21 Oct 2020 22:52:47
Fans is a better van than any of those mentioned above. A midfield 3 of Hendo, Thiago, Gini means Fabs is not really missed in midfield. Hendo and Thiago are more important. Fans can’t cover ground so might actually be a better cab in some games.

22 Oct 2020 00:18:03
Lol Rome 1977. Fair enough.

22 Oct 2020 03:09:39
Based on what we've seen when he started for us. He was out of position like all the time, scared to pass the ball forward and was searching to pass the keeper or his partner at cb like most of the time, plus if I'm not mistaken he was subbed at hf the last time he played. And you can clearly see his is dropping down the picking order as now Billy and R. Williams are in front of him, not sure for Phillips tho but I can imagine he is after him too.