Former Liverpool player Danny Murphy says Nat Phillips is ‘way off’ being good enough for Jurgen Klopp
After the injury to Liverpool centre-back Virgil van Dijk against Brentford, many would naturally raise questions about who could replace the player for the duration he will see himself sidelined due to the same hamstring issue.
Liverpool have Joel Matip, Ibrahima Konate, Joe Gomez and Nathaniel Phillips to choose from and one would believe that Matip and Ibou would be the first-choice pair in the absence of Van Dijk. Gomez can also put in a shift at right-back and could provide the manager with multiple options.
Speaking of Phillips, his last start for the Reds came against Crystal Palace back in August and his last appearance for Liverpool was against Manchester City in the Carabao Cup defeat to the Cityzens just before Christmas.
Liverpool’s Nat Phillips tackles Erling Haaland of Manchester City during a Carabao Cup game. (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
The 25-year-old has not gotten a proper run of games since the 2020/21 season where he stood tall in the backline in the absence of the first-choice centre-backs and was extremely crucial in helping the Reds secure UEFA Champions League qualification.
Former Liverpool star Danny Murphy believes that Phillips is not at the same level as the rest of the Reds and is “way off” being a Jurgen Klopp player. Speaking exclusively to talkSPORT here is what he said when asked whether Phillips could fill in for van Dijk:
“I think he’s [Nat Phillips] way off to be honest,”
Nat and the Reds
Stepping in for Virgil is certainly not something Nat is new to. The Bolton Baresi, even though he has been a squad player for his entire career at the Reds until now, has stood impressive in almost every chance he has got for the Merseysiders and was excellent in keeping the likes of Erling Haaland quiet against us in the Carabao Cup as well.
Liverpool star Nathaniel Phillips. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Murphy does not make the most sense but one could imagine where his words are coming from. The fact that he is not a guaranteed starter talks about the fact that the Reds have other better options but that does not mean Phillips is bad by any means.
He would hope to start against Wolves in the FA Cup in Liverpool’s next fixture and prove Murphy wrong. The fans love Nat, and he would hope to continue playing at his best whenever given the opportunity for Liverpool.
Liverpool would certainly do with the services of Nat at a time when it seems like the depth at the club is a little bit slim. Hopefully, Phillips continues to rise and shine in the opportunities provided to him.
