Jurgen Klopp has no other choice but to throw Nat Phillips in for Liverpool’s huge game against Everton next Monday.
The Merseyside Derby is speeding into view and Liverpool are looking ill-prepared. Still hurting from a 3-0 humiliation against Wolves on Saturday, they now face an Everton side rejuvenated by the arrival of Sean Dyche.
There were so many problems all over the pitch against Wolves. But above all, Liverpool’s lack of defensive organisation is what did them the most damage.
Joe Gomez and Joel Matip were all over the place as Julen Lopetegui’s team smashed in two goals in the opening 12 minutes.
After such a poor showing, and with Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk still injured, Klopp can’t keep faith in that blundering pair. Either couldn’t argue if they were hauled out of the XI for Monday. But given his form this season has been worse on the whole, we’d hook Gomez.
Matip on his day is still a far better player than the 25-year-old. But regardless, Gomez’s display on Saturday was simply unacceptable. There’s no way he can be trusted to play in such an important game right now. So, with no other options, Klopp must once more turn to Phillips.
Phillips to the rescue yet again
This wouldn’t be the first time Big Nat has ridden to Liverpool’s rescue against their city rivals.
Back in January 2020, the former Bolton man’s Reds debut actually came against Everton. That was a memorable game, as a hodgepodge Liverpool team beat a full-strength Blues side 1-0. Curtis Jones with the beautiful winning goal.
It was also memorable for Phillips’ involvement, though. The then 22-year-old cut short a season-long loan at Stuttgart to step into defence for his parent club. Having played the game, and kept a clean sheet, Nat then jetted back out to Germany to continue his loan.
That rather set the tone for what has been a remarkably strange Liverpool career to date for Phillips. Having been on the verge of leaving the club more than once in the intervening three years, here he still is ready to play a part.
Had things have been different, Klopp wouldn’t have been able to call on the 25-year-old at all. Liverpool had reportedly set a £10m price-tag on Phillips head in anticipation of a deadline day sale. Following Konate’s injury, the kibosh was put on that. And in light of Gomez and Matip’s struggles, it’s just as well that it was.
With respect to Nat, this isn’t a situation many Liverpool fans will be too pleased about having to deal with . But the centre-back has rarely let Liverpool down in the past. Having been forced to stay put in January, he deserves his chance. Grab it, and he may yet force another stay of execution.
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