please log in to view this image If thiago idolises phillps this much I think @Jimmy Squarefoot can cut the guy a break
Loll the most unlikeliest photo of all time! Phillips only has 1 good attribute - heading the ball. Every other aspect of his defending is trash. He is a 'tv defender' - makes the big thundering headers, throws himself at everything. It looks very good on the eye. But unfortunately, he's constantly out of position, rushes out, creates gaps behind, and doesn't have the intelligence or speed to play a high line. His value is at an all time high right now and he has no future at this club. All of the pundits and media are creaming themselves of him so we should be able to command at least £10m - we would be stupid not to cash in on him now, else we run the risk of having another Origi / Wilson situation on our hands . And I hope Phillips is ambitious because he can have a solid career at a smaller PL or Championship club and play regularly. I wouldn't want him to waste years at LFC when he won't even be on the bench.
Watching highlights on motd. Just constant pinging balls over Williams in the first half and the kid had no idea what to do, got lucky a couple times
I thought he was poor last night but.... Liverpool's league record with Fabinho starting in midfield in 2021: played 7, won 7, scored 17, conceded four. Probably the single biggest factor in our recent upturn.
Mate, go study what klopp wants. We are not rushing out leaving gaps. we are running a high line and need to hit those forwards and force them back. You will note that its williams getting caught with ball over his head not phillips. this is cos williams hasn't got quite up to that game in his 4 appearances. he is caught between coming and not coming and is in no mans. Given phillips won every header, cleared every ball on the ground and had zero issues, plus we've won 7 with him in the team recently but drew two with late silly goals in games he didn't play theres something off in your assertions here. So lets be fair to the lad and stop calling him trash, he's a bit better than that all round and then agree we ought to sell him now. You are right he should never have a higher value than now.
These are just two examples but this happens every game. He's simply not good enough. And he's been caught out a number of times with balls over the top as well. I think we can all safely say we respect him but let's not make out that he is crucial to us and he has a future with the club.
Tbf, "garbage" is probably the nicest thing Jimmy has said about those two. I've said before I think we need to keep Phillips - unless we make at least two signings that are clearly a great improvement, which is hardly likely. He's a back to basics defender who works best in a team cut out to defend, and we don't play that way so he won't be more than a back-up, but we could do far worse in that respect. Williams is a kid thrown in at the deep-end out of desperation. He's not yet ready for the responsibility that's been thrust upon him, so it's hard to judge his potential, imo. Anyway, it's not our decision - or Jimmy's, fortunately.
I wouldn't be selling anyone until we sign 2 new centre backs. But if you give me option to sell Phillips for £10m to bring in Kabak for £18m, then it's a no brainer. And at the same time, he should want to go because his profile has increased massively and he will definitely have teams interested in him. He's better than just settling for a place in our squad (he won't even be on the bench). I actually like Nat because he is a monster in the air and he is incredibly brave. He has come into a team and is part of our recent upturn. He's also got an assist and a goal. Also, he's just a nice guy. But you don't win trophies by being nice. You win it by being good. Whilst we have conceded far less goals recently, let's not pretend that the defence has been good. We are conceding a large number of chances - thankfully, teams just aren't punishing us as they were doing previously. And plus we're now scoring more goals.
Nath Phillips is still learning his trade there are rooms for improvement. I think we should keep him at least for another season.
I have to say - the link up play down our right hand side is so good at the moment - Trent x Thiago X Mo.
This is a far better analysis than just calling him rubbish. The thing is, I agree that he'd be better off elsewhere - I've said so often. He'd thrive in a team that drops back into their defensive shape as soon as they lose possession, whereas we try to win the ball back high up and that leaves so much space behind that requires fast defenders to cope. The reason I think we should keep him for now is that I need convincing that we can manage without him. Perhaps it's an unfortunate blip, but the number of injuries to CBs and then to midfielders who tried to replace them, doesn't fill me with confidence. Two good quality incomers would be the minimum, but then we have to keep them all happy if they're not injured. It's a catch 22 situation.
It's funny how Salah was clearly shoved in the box but no penalty, no VAR call and it was brushed under the carpet ...
Bit that stands out for me was at 1.49. Gets the ball from our defence with a man charging into him. gini, hendo, milner probably even fab all take a touch then pass it backwards to the defender. Thiago is already in the half turn, sees him coming and flicks the ball the other way and he’s off on the attack. It’s simple things and may if leads to a goal won’t get any credit in the build up or go down as any kind of assist stat, but it’s that small movement which can take a player out the game and get us moving. Loved it
On the cbs. Nat is better than the other one by far. But still not good enough to have a 1st team place. Im not even sure about 4th choice if there are other options
He's a lovely player isn't he. Keita does the same but it's a shame he's injured all the time. As you say, it's those things which seem small but they open up space and contribute massively build up play. It's going to be amazing seeing him alongside Fabinho for a whole season and A Nother (Hendo?), plus a proper defence behind him. Don't think I've been more confident going into a season lol.
