Nat Phillips

[baitman]

HIS mighty thighs would tear him asunder...

I know we (Klopp) like to play a high pressing game, but sometimes we run out of ideas as we struggle to break down a deep defence. Most of our best opportunities come from crosses in from the fulback or from deeper balls out of defence... but because we are pushed up so high it does not leave much room to run into, so everything has to be inch perfect.

Would it not make sense to be able to adapt a bit, where we can sit back and allow pressure to come onto us. Then we can release the ball more quickly knocking it over the top, or quickly into Firmino to ping it into the path of a runner with bags of space to run into. Not sure if this would play more to Nat's strengths, but dealing with balls coming into a packed box was definitely one of his stronger areas.

This might play more to Mane and Firmino's strengths too.

Many have always questioned Nats lack of pace and his inability to play the LFC high line. I have often said that once VVD was out of the team we should drop back a bit to open up the field of play. I fully agree with you.
Our pressing should be in the final third. Often we are almost all in the opposition half when teams park the bus but it serves us no purpose and we still struggle to break teams down.
All we do is offer them an easy long ball and fast counter attack, how many times have we been suckered like this...

[Buzzo]

Crushing it.

[ame]https://twitter.com/scouserchrislfc/status/1468332742815461378[/ame]

[Exiled_red]

Crushing it.

https://twitter.com/scouserchrislfc/...32742815461378

[BobTheCharmer]

The guys a ****ing legend. How can you possibly not like Nat Phillips?

[danperkins]

He was excellent tonight as was Konate. Don't think either are great in possession but two physical beasts.

[Doc_Piptorious]

Aye the CBs did their jobs tonight and was a good showing by both against some physical attackers.

[Fuzzy]

Underrated player. Like Origi he's way too good to not be playing regularly in the top half PL, but if he's happy to stay and provide cover here then it's a great option to have.

[Assassin]

That turn in the area that left Cuntan and Kessie chasing rainbows was superb. Along with the 2 goals, it was 1 of the 3 highlights in the match

[Paul12]

I know his style isn't right for the way we want to play (for eg, he is not fast enough and his passing and dribbling skills are not good enough), but is any one else worried at the prospect that we sell him and keep Gomez (has been injury prone) and Matip (has been injury prone and is 30)?

[Doc_Piptorious]

I know his style isn't right for the way we want to play (for eg, he is not fast enough and his passing and dribbling skills are not good enough), but is any one else worried at the prospect that we sell him and keep Gomez (has been injury prone) and Matip (has been injury prone and is 30)?

Selling him does not worry me as there are a number of good pacy centre backs out there that we could go after if Gomez becomes less relable and if/when Matip get injured or goes further down the pecking order.


What does amuse me about Phillips, and it is in no way a knock, is that I look at him play and his limitations are pretty obvious but at the same time I look at Maguire play for the Mancs and cannot see how one is an 80 million pound centre back and the other seems to have few clubs after him.

Not saying Phillips is an 80 million pound player ( Maguire is not either in terms of ability though is one in terms of what was spent on him) but I do see them as similar in style and similar in both their qualities and limitations not to mention pace. Phillips for me is Maguire with less playing experience and really should be a 20m to 25m player to be snapped up by a PL team that wants to play with a deeper backline.

[wiw]

Selling him does not worry me as there are a number of good pacy centre backs out there that we could go after if Gomez becomes less relable and if/when Matip get injured or goes further down the pecking order.


What does amuse me about Phillips, and it is in no way a knock, is that I look at him play and his limitations are pretty obvious but at the same time I look at Maguire play for the Mancs and cannot see how one is an 80 million pound centre back and the other seems to have few clubs after him.

Not saying Phillips is an 80 million pound player ( Maguire is not either in terms of ability though is one in terms of what was spent on him) but I do see them as similar in style and similar in both their qualities and limitations not to mention pace. Phillips for me is Maguire with less playing experience and really should be a 20m to 25m player to be snapped up by a PL team that wants to play with a deeper backline.

I think part of Maguire's problem is that he feels like he has to play like an 80m player, and he just isn't one. I'd rather have Phillips given a straight choice, wouldn't you? Regardless of price-tag even

[baitman]

Matip staying fit is fantastic, but non of us thought it possible. Long may it continue, but it wont come.as a shock should he break down again.
Unfortunately Gomez is likely to be a permacrock. Such a shame as he is a decent player.
Nat seems to be a strong sturdy guy and that means he will be available for selection...
Id be happy for us to play Nat along side vvd or matip any time.
And to be honest id sooner keep Nat rather than Gomez.

[rudedog]

Carragher was pretty limited as a footballer but had a good career as a defender.

[frank the tank]

Selling him does not worry me as there are a number of good pacy centre backs out there that we could go after if Gomez becomes less relable and if/when Matip get injured or goes further down the pecking order.


What does amuse me about Phillips, and it is in no way a knock, is that I look at him play and his limitations are pretty obvious but at the same time I look at Maguire play for the Mancs and cannot see how one is an 80 million pound centre back and the other seems to have few clubs after him.

Not saying Phillips is an 80 million pound player ( Maguire is not either in terms of ability though is one in terms of what was spent on him) but I do see them as similar in style and similar in both their qualities and limitations not to mention pace. Phillips for me is Maguire with less playing experience and really should be a 20m to 25m player to be snapped up by a PL team that wants to play with a deeper backline.

Agree completely....... I can see something like Tarkowski going to Newcastle and Burnley getting a better player in Phillips as his replacement.

[Doc_Piptorious]

I think part of Maguire's problem is that he feels like he has to play like an 80m player, and he just isn't one. I'd rather have Phillips given a straight choice, wouldn't you? Regardless of price-tag even

Would have Phillips over Maguire. I think Maguire is a snide cowardly type of player tbh. It is only in terms of ability that I think he and Phillips are comparable.


Just amused me that two players that I regard as being comparable in ability have such a gulf in their price tage.