Liverpool kept a clean sheet as they drew a blank against Newcastle last night but the performance of Nat Phillips’ has come under scrutiny from supporters.
The 23-year-old picked up a yellow card for an agricultural challenge in the second half and was caught out of position a number of times. Fans are calling on the club to find a replacement for the defender in January:
he isn’t good enough and never will be. We need a new top CB. actions speak better that words, players said the same thing after west brom.
— TalkingRed BLM ⭐️19⭐️ LEAGUE CHAMPIONS (@TalkingRed23) December 31, 2020
Did this fella breakdown on the motorway and we picked him up on the way to Newcastle DESPERATE TIMES
— Chris Mc (@Chris89Mc) December 31, 2020
@LFC the last 2 games have shoewn everyone in the Premier league our weaknesses at the back… If we do not sign at least 1 centre back it will be a massive mistake. Get it done ?.
— Craig (@Craig70614642) December 31, 2020
Plz sign a new CB?
— Dream_spirit (@Dreamspirit10) December 31, 2020
Philips can not complete a long pass to save his mothers life.
he is not good enough.— 2021 (@simonnjoshtheur) December 31, 2020
He’s comfortably the worst player I’ve ever seen pull on the shirt, that takes some doing as well as I witnessed Nicky Tanner
— Daniel heselden (@DanielHeselden) December 31, 2020
He is slow as snail man get us a CB
— LFC CHAMPIONS OF ENGLAND FOR THE 19th Time???? (@somali_kop) December 31, 2020
This guy is good in the air but he is way too slow and cant play out from the back , William’s needs to start until we get a proven CB to play alongside fabinho since matip is made of straw.
— Ryan (@ryanlfc211) December 31, 2020
To be honest, the criticism that Phillips has received is a bit harsh. He was up against an experienced Premier League striker in Callum Wilson and he coped well with the Newcastle star, for the most part, with the exception of one moment in the first half that led to a shot on goal.
Considering he is the club’s fifth choice centre-half, he isn’t doing a bad job. The main reason the Reds didn’t win at St James’ Park yesterday evening was not down to the defence but the poor finishing at the opposite end of the pitch.