Liverpool comfortably beat RB Leipzig 2-0 on Wednesday evening. It completed a 4-0 aggregate win and send them into the UEFA Champions League Quarter-Finals.
So who do we have to thank? Here are our three picks as standout players against RB Leipzig.
Nat Phillips
Phillips was not perfect in the game – he only actually won two of his five headers at the back. But he was undoubtedly a standout in the biggest game of his career.
He didn’t have a safe partner with him, either. Ozan Kabak started as the other centre-back and is another with question marks over his head.
But Phillips did shine. He was solid at the back, constantly fighting and winning tackles. His seven tackles and five clearances sum up what Liverpool needed from him.
The 23-year-old delivered and in doing so, surely secured himself a starting role for the rest of the season.
Thiago
Six tackles – at a 100% success rate – an interception, one chance created. This was the midfield display we all wanted to see.
Thiago was fantastic, composed and simply elite. In a lot of ways, it’s the first time we’ve really seen what we hoped for.
The Spaniard was great in the first-leg, too, but with so much on the line here, we thought he was magnificent. No one can ever be in doubt over his signing again.
Thiago is an outstanding player, capable of delivering all kinds of midfield performances.
Fabinho
Fabinho made three tackles in the game and led Liverpool in interceptions. In other words, everything we hoped for.
Putting the Brazilian back in midfield was Jurgen Klopp’s big decision for this one. It paid off.
Liverpool looked so much more consistent and cohesive in midfield. Fabinho allowed the others to focus on what they do well, leaving the defensive work to him.
Few players can handle that workload but Fabinho, as arguably the best around, manages it. The Reds are better with him in midfield.
This was the biggest factor in the win and Klopp deserves all the praise coming his way for going with it.
Click here for our player ratings for Liverpool 2-0 RB Leipzig.
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