29 Jan 2021 12:29:13
The thing I enjoyed most about last night was seeing Gini in the 6 and Thiago further forward. That looked a much better balance and I'm not saying that as we won - it looked that way right from the start. Also, I just don't get why Nat Philips isn't given a go in the team - irrespective of who partners him. He looks perfectly ok, even if he isn't necessarily the next VVD. It would at least allow one of Hendo or Fab to play in the 6, who would be even better than Gini, etc. Would be interested on your thoughts Ed001, and I'm looking forward to your review, as ever Cheers.
{Ed001's Note - I have been saying all along Phillips should be playing, so I have no idea either. I can only think it is because he is not good enough on the ball.}
29 Jan 2021 13:07:19
As usual Ed001, you are right.
29 Jan 2021 13:10:27
Totally agree regarding Phillips. The only reason I could think of was that Phillips appears to be thought of as not having a future at Liverpool - he's a little older and the club would probably have sold him by now if there had been a good offer - whereas Williams was maybe seen as being a prospect who the club wanted to develop and give a chance to. Also, Phillips wasn't in the Champions League squad so Williams played in those matches and maybe then got the nod for continuity.
Phillips has "done a job" whenever he's been selected, and was actually one of our better players against West Ham. He also has that half a season of playing regularly in Germany (second divison) last season. I can't really see why a 19 year old who had no previous experience other than youth football and the Conference got first crack before Phillips.
Phillips may not be top drawer but he wouldn't be the worst centre half in the league and I think, more than Williams, he can get us through this period. Might even find at the end of the season, if we still don't want to keep him, his transfer value has increased as a result.
We're going to give away some soft goals through the rest of the season, I think that's almost inevitable with our patched up defence, but if we can continue to dominate possession it's not like we're going to be under constant pressure at the back, and if Alisson can bail us out now and then, I do think we can stay in the hunt.
{Ed0666's Note - I think given a more permanent role in the side Philips could do a job if he was paired with a senior CB who could talk him through the game. I think him and someone raw would struggle.
29 Jan 2021 13:22:51
Totally agree, Ed and Red Stan. Ed made a pertinent comparison with Wes Morgan playing throughout Leicester’s title win. As long as Phillips gives 100%, he can give it a real competitive go until the end of the season.
29 Jan 2021 13:44:59
This sounds very cliche - but Phillips is an old school defender who seems to know his limitations. He likes defending - there's a small interview and doc about him on youtube (I recommend watching) when he was at Stuttgart and he talks about not going on loan to the Englsih league one because he knows he can do the defending side of things he needs to get better on the ball to make it at a big club and doing at in Germany was his best option as Klopp knows the sporting director.
29 Jan 2021 13:58:18
As the situation is Klopp will be forced to play him and niw its up to him to cement his spot.
By god if we win the league because he shored up our defense it will be another majestic liverpool story.
He would save us 75 million in money.
He has a free run now and he should grab this with both hands legs and head and body.
29 Jan 2021 14:18:19
I love Klopp and only he knows the reasons why he picks Williams ahead of Phillips. Phillips is now ahead of Williams but I think it’s more to do with Williams playing himself out of contention over Klopp realising Phillips is the better option. It’s now over to Phillips to grab this opportunity with both hands.
29 Jan 2021 14:22:49
I worry a bit about the timing of Phillips’ tackles though. He goes in full pelt and can be a tad ‘agricultural’ at times. A decent enough fill-in at centreback but no good if we end up losing him because of suspensions.
29 Jan 2021 14:30:11
The most worrying aspect for me this year has been that decision Rhys over Nat. You are spot on Red Stan if Nat had been given a run with Matip or Fab then that would have given us more midfield options ie play Thiago further forward. We would have been much better off IMO.
How the coaching staff (Klopp included) could have made that decision is what worries me the most. His age, experience in the Bundesliga his aerial combativeness were all reasons why he should have been ahead of Rhys. Really baffling decision. Great to get back to winning ways let's hope we can build on it.
29 Jan 2021 15:20:57
Phillip's timing is off cos he ain't getting a run of games to pick up momentum, but as said he has too play now and he will have a physical battle with Antonio which might suit him, the burnley game would of been nice to play Phillip's we could of pushed fab up but never mind hope he proves his worth .
29 Jan 2021 15:24:32
If you had to pick Ed001/ Ed666, would you go with Hendo at the back or Fabs (with Phillips)?
{Ed001's Note - Hendo, unless it is likely to be an aerial bombardment they are facing.}
29 Jan 2021 15:37:03
Positives from the game
- Gini at 6 gave the side a lot more defensive protection and I liked Thiago further forward too
- Milner has also been awesome in the last two games, a real leader on the pitch and added some of the intensity we have been missing
- Good to see Philips back and he played well, hopefully he stays
- Great to see some quality crosses in between the CB’s and the GK, Trent was looking almost back to his best
- Front three had a good game
Let’s hope we can put together a decent run.
29 Jan 2021 16:08:48
Anyone know if Phillips has been getting games for the u23 behind the scenes recently. Don’t even know if u23 football is actually still happening.
{Ed002's Note - Koumetio, van der Berg and Savage have been playing CB for the U23s.}
29 Jan 2021 16:26:14
You know what Ed, even if they went aerial bombardment, I think I’d go with Henderson over Williams, as I’m pretty sure that Henderson is picking up what’s needed from him and at 6ft he’s not too short, having him as the finesse next to Phillips more combative style might actually work.
29 Jan 2021 16:40:33
Does Phillips need to be excellent on the ball though ed001? I know Klopp likes his defenders to spray long balls to the forwards but can’t we just have one of the other defenders doing that? I’m sure Phillips can manage a short pass to Trent or Hendo, fab, Robbo, Becker etc etc and they can do what they do best on the ball. He’s a much better defender and player than Williams, to be honest I don’t think Williams is particularly great on the ball either, so may as well play the one that can actually defend.
{Ed001's Note - I am fine with Phillips too, I think he is our best option.}
29 Jan 2021 17:09:05
Nat Phillips is a good defender, he’s shown that every time he’s played. Yes, he’s a tad agricultural in his approach, but he wins headers, not much gets past him and he knows how to hold a defensive line and communicate. He’s alert to danger and brave too. Thankfully Klopp now has to play the lad as it’s obvious to anyone with an ounce of football knowledge that he’s the most competent central defender left standing at the club.
29 Jan 2021 17:30:51
Phillips + literally any centre back who is half decent and doesn’t get injured would do the rest of the season for me, i think getting a midfield of Thiago Hendo Fabinho will be the key to winning most games, particularly as it will allow thiago to push up and combine with firmino as they seem to have something promising building.
29 Jan 2021 17:34:54
Every appearance I've seen from Phillips has not given me virgil levels if confidence but the lad is a defender. He wins almost all his headers and seems to be able to at least read the play better than rhys. He should be given a run right now even if fsg find a cb.
29 Jan 2021 18:16:50
I like Phillips in the sense that he’s a no-nonsense, old skool defender.
You could imagine him partnering Tommy Smith in 1971.
But it’s 2021.
Please that we can get someone in.
29 Jan 2021 20:55:44
If we can bring someone decent in, pair him up with Phillips and release Fab back into midfield that will help us move forward. I like that he’s no nonsense, he reads the game well and reacts to danger well. Personally couldn’t care less if he Isn’t the most technical player in the world, he can defend.
29 Jan 2021 20:58:47
I'm with you ed1 about Phillips. And really, at his age, he is at a good age and maturity to step up in this kind of crisis. HE also seems like a no nonsense type and I haven't noticed him looking frazzled by the occasion. Start him, preferably alongside Matip when he was fit, so that would free up Fab to return our midfield to full strength. Now I guess it has to be Phillips with Hendo or Fab.