So, Nat Phillips

[Tosh]

We can’t exactly welcome him as he’s been around a while in the age-group teams 

He’s alright. Limited but in the past couple of games he’s reminded me of a defender. No nonsense, no Cruyff-turns, defend first sort. 
Not sure that’s our longer term need against all oppositions but for someone with so few games under his belt, he’s done fine. There’s clearly room for improvement but you think... even if not with us, he’ll have a career. 

What say you?

[charlie clown]

Yes he's done OK and I've no complaints about his performances to date at all. Any limitations he has are not his fault. I think that the issue with him is that essentially Kopp likes all his squad (keepers included) to be footballers first and foremost, and he, quite simply isn't one. his first instinct with the ball at his feet is always, simple pass or long hoof. He has no confidence or ability to carry the ball which is something that all of our other CBs do. Suggests to me that if Klopp had his way, in an ideal world, he wouldn't be anywhere near the club.

I hope that when we get past this horrendous season, we have a full complement of decent ball-playing CBs and that he  can find a berth at a club where he can build a steady and decent career for himself.

[Hassony]

If he had played at old Trafford we might still be in the FA cup 

[Hightown Phil]

Good at heading the ball, bobbins at everything else. 

[Swipe]

Thought first half yesterday he was good again. Passing seemed better, just kept it simple. Looked a bit more ragged second half. Any sort of pace and actual pressure obviously exposes him. Wilson destroyed him at Newcastle a few times. 
 

Looks better than Williams though. 

Edited February 4, 2021 by Swipe

[Bailo]

He won't be playing for us next year. 

[Cam]

Done alright. But he seems destined to live up to that "tries hard but won't make it at this level, will have a good career in the Championship" narrative that was set even before his debut. And he's little chance of breaking that narrative, not because of ability but due to the fact he's playing in a weakened team. Things may look a whole lot different if he had Matip, Gomez or VvD alongside him, with Fabinho & Henderson in front.

I hope he does enough in this spell to convince everyone he should remain part of the centrebacks mini-squad next season. 

[Hightown Phil]

8 minutes ago, Cam said:

Done alright. But he seems destined to live up to that "tries hard but won't make it at this level, will have a good career in the Championship" narrative that was set even before his debut. And he's little chance of breaking that narrative, not because of ability but due to the fact he's playing in a weakened team. Things may look a whole lot different if he had Matip, Gomez or VvD alongside him, with Fabinho & Henderson in front.

I hope he does enough in this spell to convince everyone he should remain part of the centrebacks mini-squad next season. 

His spell is over surely? Be surprised if he played again.

[Jarg Armani]

He’s better than the other lad

[Cam]

Just now, Hightown Phil said:

His spell is over surely? Be surprised if he played again.

Oh there'll be more injuries yet! 

We need to get Henderson (and preferably Fabinho too) back in to midfield urgently. The centrebacks Kabak & Davies (and, if necessary, Fabinho) will need a rest even if it is just the odd 20 minutes here & there to prevent knocks & sprains. He should drop out but only to the bench. 

[kop205]

Him having his own thread kind of sums up the season.

[Hightown Phil]

1 minute ago, Cam said:

Oh there'll be more injuries yet! 

We need to get Henderson (and preferably Fabinho too) back in to midfield urgently. The centrebacks Kabak & Davies (and, if necessary, Fabinho) will need a rest even if it is just the odd 20 minutes here & there to prevent knocks & sprains. He should drop out but only to the bench. 

I reckon he’s probably 5th in at centre back now. If he’s playing again we’re in big trouble. Even if it’s Sunday, cos the thought of him against City is going to give me nightmares.

[Nebraska Red]

I wonder why he's even at our club. Were we unable to move him on?

At the start of the season, he was a million miles from the first team squad and probably not worthy of development in the U23's.

He's been thrust in and hasn't disgraced himself. Sadly, his starting has coincided with some awful displays. 

Hopefully, a few lower tier teams will be able to take a look and make a summer offer.

[RBM]

He’ll probably get a decent move this summer rather than ending up in league one 

[D.Boon]

Hell always be able to tell his kids that for a few days in late January 2021 he was the best available centre half for Liverpool FC.

[Lark]

is he out of contract this summer? 

[EC_Red]

He'll do well in a team that defends deep. His lack of pace means that he's not a fit in our system at all. Maybe Wolves or someone might pick him up to play in a 3.

 

That said, I have no complaints with him playing right now. I just wish he was more of a nuisance in the opposition box when we take set pieces.

[Hassony]

15 minutes ago, D.Boon said:

Hell always be able to tell his kids that for a few days in late January 2021 he was the best available centre half for Liverpool FC.

I wish I had his career 

 

He's got the look of someone who will probably have a career away from football in few years, probably as a humanities teacher, he'll tell his students how he played for the league champions but they won't believe him especially after seeing him trying to kick the ball back to them in the playground 

[MarkD]

Earnest, limited.

[Benzo-13]

Good honest lad trying his best. Which level isn’t what we need.

[Raj]

2 hours ago, Hightown Phil said:

Good at heading the ball, bobbins at everything else. 

I think thats pretty harsh. He's a bit of a throwback. But he's not good enough for us, as we demand so much more. His defending is fairly solid and would be better served in a low block defensive team

[Jarg Armani]

He looks like he should be playing for Bolton. Not just footballing wise either. He’s got Bolton face.

[Hightown Phil]

26 minutes ago, Raj said:

I think thats pretty harsh. He's a bit of a throwback. But he's not good enough for us, as we demand so much more. His defending is fairly solid and would be better served in a low block defensive team

I think he’s been pretty lucky we’ve managed to stop anyone from running at him to be honest. Also, I struggle with Klopp basically preferring Williams for so long. Gotta take him at his word on that I think.

[Begbie]

Burnley should sign him in the summer

[Dan]

2 hours ago, kop205 said:

Him having his own thread kind of sums up the season.

At least he didn't get a welcome though.