Topic: Nat Phillips

[Bend It Like Aurelio]

The thing I like about Phillips is that you can see his progression this season. He's improved at a very rapid pace, and it shows. He wasn't amazing against Madrid, but I am almost certain he will adapt better on the return leg.

Whether he gets to stay is one thing, but I wouldn't be surprised if he's kept around. I think he will be great here to fulfill a role, and I'm sure now that he's had his stage to prove himself that he's no longer wanting to leave for another opportunity in such a hurry. But on the other hand, strangely he's probably the most marketable CB we have at this stage. We certainly won't be selling Gomez, and Matip is probably too injury prone to fetch any decent offers.

[Wilmo]

Bloody hell you must have a low bar for what constitutes a 'pile on'.

Bit weird that one. I agree with you, also I have a soft spot for players who blast it hard into feet. Gives the receiver more options. He's really stepped up in terms of responsibility as well. I understand the Burnley shout - he might be too good to be just a squad player, which he will inevitably be. I think he can do better though to be fair.

[Black Bull Nova]

Let's see when Nat heads the winner off a corner in the last minute next week.

[Black Bull Nova]

When did we get hammered? As I recall we outplayed them when we lost 3-0.

And remember, Dembele missed a sitter at the end, I would say 3-0 does not constitute a good outcome, there was a reason we conceded 3 goals.

[Djozer]

Ach he's sound. One bad game does not a bad player make, a d he's had plenty of good ones recently. Maybe he's not good enough for the very highest level but he'll have another shot next week and I wouldn't put it past him to play out of his skin, and even if he comes up short, he's done a fantastic job this season.

[newterp]

Ach he's sound. One bad game does not a bad player make, a d he's had plenty of good ones recently. Maybe he's not good enough for the very highest level but he'll have another shot next week and I wouldn't put it past him to play out of his skin, and even if he comes up short, he's done a fantastic job this season.

Agreed. I would expect we will still sell him - the difference being now we will likely get 5-7m for him.

[B0151?]

Agreed. I would expect we will still sell him - the difference being now we will likely get 5-7m for him.

If he helps us to top 4 we can get more than that. Don't even think it'd be worth selling him for that low unless we're buying 2 CBs

[BobPaisley3]

Regardless of whether you like him or not, has anyone ever seen a player win 100% of their defensive headers? He’s insane in the air.

[MonsLibpool]

Bolton Baresi. He was awesome today, played some very good passes too.

[lgvkarlos]

So much better than Kabak.

[solidgold]

Win every single headers that come his way. The guy is a monster. Suddenly I am no longer worried about free kicks and corners. This guy just own the box whenever a ball floats in. Awesome.

[Fromola]

Regardless of whether you like him or not, has anyone ever seen a player win 100% of their defensive headers? He’s insane in the air.

Adds a lot of much needed fight and physicality into the team. Vital aerially as well against these big sides, we'd have conceded a lot more chances from set plays without him this year.

He's not the player you want away at Real Madrid or up against fast attackers so much, but he's served us really well overall.

[MonsLibpool]

Win every single headers that come his way. The guy is a monster. Suddenly I am no longer worried about free kicks and corners. This guy just own the box whenever a ball floats in. Awesome.

I'd be confident if it was him against 6 attackers.

[AmanShah21]

So much better than Kabak.

I think they are very very different defenders. On current form and net performances, Nat has been better but Kabak's shown a lot of promise, especially with the ball. The only reason I have doubts about Nat being a long term prospect for us is his lack of pace and on-the-ball ability which is inherently limited and not something that can be drastically improved. He is an excellent defender in his own right and he'd be massive against physical teams like Burnley. I just find all these comparisons between the two a bit weird given how they are clearly very very different in the type of defenders they are. Kabak is better at defending space and Nat is far more frontfooted, be it aerially or on the ground.

[lgvkarlos]

I think they are very very different defenders. On current form and net performances, Nat has been better but Kabak's shown a lot of promise, especially with the ball. The only reason I have doubts about Nat being a long term prospect for us is his lack of pace and on-the-ball ability which is inherently limited and not something that can be drastically improved. He is an excellent defender in his own right and he'd be massive against physical teams like Burnley. I just find all these comparisons between the two a bit weird given how they are clearly very very different in the type of defenders they are. Kabak is better at defending space and Nat is far more frontfooted, be it aerially or on the ground.

Agree Nat isn't quick enough long term but what he is doing at the moment is exceptional. Kabak doesn't look quick enough either but also gets caught out of position way to often for me.

[BeingJohnMarkovic]

Phillips's passing has improved game on game. He is unfortunately lacking the mobility that makes him a long-term option here but thought he did really well today again. He's one of the most dominant players in the air I have ever seen.

[Welshred]

So much better than Kabak.

How many one on one's with Alisson did Kabak give Villa today?

[lgvkarlos]

How many one on one's with Alisson did Kabak give Villa today?

You have to take one of them out at the moment, who would you choose?

[Welshred]

You have to take one of them out at the moment, who would you choose?

Phillips. 100%, I dont even need to think about it

[Fordy]

So much better than Kabak.

18m on Kabak or keep Phillips.

No brainer. Keeping Phillips all day long.

[lgvkarlos]

18m on Kabak or keep Phillips.

No brainer. Keeping Phillips all day long.

Considering how high a line we are playing I'm gobsmacked how well he has done, I know he's been caught out a few times but how many times has he got us out of the shit.

[klopptopia]

Kabak is mikes ahead of Phillips and has been the better player since they both got in the team. Phillips has been brilliant for his level but should not and will not be hear next season

[paisley1977]

I think they are very very different defenders. On current form and net performances, Nat has been better but Kabak's shown a lot of promise, especially with the ball. The only reason I have doubts about Nat being a long term prospect for us is his lack of pace and on-the-ball ability which is inherently limited and not something that can be drastically improved. He is an excellent defender in his own right and he'd be massive against physical teams like Burnley. I just find all these comparisons between the two a bit weird given how they are clearly very very different in the type of defenders they are. Kabak is better at defending space and Nat is far more frontfooted, be it aerially or on the ground.

Yea one will cost 18m the other one cost nowt.

[Djozer]

You have to take one of them out at the moment, who would you choose?

I'd keep Kabak, to be honest. Right now, and for the future. I'd probably rather go for Konate or similar though. But when it comes to Phillips v Kabak, great as Nat's been recently, I just think Nat's limitations hamstring us to a greater degree than Kabak's.

[Fordy]

Kabak is mikes ahead of Phillips and has been the better player since they both got in the team. Phillips has been brilliant for his level but should not and will not be hear next season

Utter rubbish. Phillips has been the better player.

Phillips will be here next season for sure.

[Welshred]

Utter rubbish. Phillips has been the better player.

Phillips will be here next season for sure.

The Fordy seal of approval, so which club will he be moving to?

[Fordy]

The Fordy seal of approval, so which club will he be moving to?

ha ha  .

Easy money for everyone now on a Phillips move.

[MH41]

Won another vital header, right at the very end there, from the long free kick from the keeper(followed by a fantastic through ball from shaqiri to mané)
Absolutely brilliant. The lad has stepped up, and has done a magnificent job. There is nothing negative that has to be said.

[B0151?]

The way he was competing and winning every ball that got close to him was really great. Something we weren't doing when we got hammered by Villa. He's boss. If he had more pace he'd be incredible.

[BobPaisley3]

Adds a lot of much needed fight and physicality into the team. Vital aerially as well against these big sides, we'd have conceded a lot more chances from set plays without him this year.

He's not the player you want away at Real Madrid or up against fast attackers so much, but he's served us really well overall.

Absolutely, and its important to have horses for courses. As well all know, 75% of those courses don’t mind chucking it long into the box.

[klopptopia]

Utter rubbish. Phillips has been the better player.

Phillips will be here next season for sure.

Phillips was being sold last summer whilst we have been linked with kabak and then brought him in. It’s either kabak here next season or neither. Kabak was the better player against wolves and arsenal by a mile. And he is quicker than phillips

[The G in Gerrard]

ha ha  .

Easy money for everyone now on a Phillips move.

We not signing that Brighton defender then

[BeingJohnMarkovic]

Phillips was being sold last summer whilst we have been linked with kabak and then brought him in. It’s either kabak here next season or neither. Kabak was the better player against wolves and arsenal by a mile. And he is quicker than phillips

I'm not sure about that at all, but I do think that Klopp would probably prefer to keep Kabak next season than Phillips. Personally, I'd probably keep Phillips if it came to a choice - he is just insanely good in the air, whereas Kabak isn't insanely good at anything. I'd personally keep them both, though.

VVD
Gomez
Kabak
Phillips

Would be a solid enough choice at CB, for different types of games.

[vivabobbygraham]

Will all the gobshites comparing Kabak to Phillips and who stays and who goes and all that other bolloxs on here, please fuck off to the appropriate threads for that type of utter tosh. Fucking nuisances the lot of yer. This thread is for the Bolton Baresi only...

[Bird Bird Bird The Bird Is The Word]

Seems like each passing game brings with it another big step. Thought he looked noticeably more comfortable on the ball, was happy to intelligently drop the shoulder and swivel to relieve pressure and keep the ball moving. None of the awkwardness of past performances.

And how good is it seeing a big hoof passing through the clouds and seeing him in the periphery reading the ball and readying himself to launch into the air, being able to relax with the certainty that only outcome will be a header won and a ball swatted back. We've missed that solidity and certainty at the back.

[farawayred]

Can’t wait to see him score from a corner. Maybe against Burnley in the penultimate game, suitable for both styles.

[Welshred]

Seems like each passing game brings with it another big step. Thought he looked noticeably more comfortable on the ball, was happy to intelligently drop the shoulder and swivel to relieve pressure and keep the ball moving. None of the awkwardness of past performances.

And how good is it seeing a big hoof passing through the clouds and seeing him in the periphery reading the ball and readying himself to launch into the air, being able to relax with the certainty that only outcome will be a header won and a ball swatted back. We've missed that solidity and certainty at the back.

I'm really not seeing this. I'm seeing the guy who forced Alisson into a risky situation where he had to use his own skill to clear their forward. Im seeing the man who gets  beat easily one on one, especially when tight, I'm sering the man who gave two very easy one on one's with Alisson. I cant be the only wine who sees just how poor he is at the highest level?

[newterp]

I'm really not seeing this. I'm seeing the guy who forced Alisson into a risky situation where he had to use his own skill to clear their forward. Im seeing the man who gets  beat easily one on one, especially when tight, I'm sering the man who gave two very easy one on one's with Alisson. I cant be the only wine who sees just how poor he is at the highest level?

Depends on how many glasses of wine.

[Welshred]

Depends on how many glasses of wine.

Right now? Quite a few beers. When I saw this happening? Now many. There's a reason why teams target the right side of our defence.

[farawayred]

Depends on how many glasses of wine.

Red or white? And I hat kind?