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Liverpool fans claim defender Nat Phillips should play against Chelsea

Dom Toner

Tue 2 March 2021 20:55, UK

Liverpool host rivals Chelsea on Thursday night in the Premier League – and some of the Reds fans on Twitter claim that Nat Phillips deserves to start.

Jurgen Klopp’s team welcome Chelsea to Anfield for what looks like a key fixture on paper.

Liverpool currently sit sixth in the league standings, while upcoming opponents Chelsea are a point and place above them.

If Fabinho does return from his injury for the midweek fixture, there are serious question marks over what Klopp will do with his team selection.

A selection of Liverpool supporters on social media are insisting that whatever happens Phillips retains his spot in the XI.

Aged 23, Phillips made a rare start in the weekend’s league victory over Sheffield United, where he partnered Ozan Kabak in the heart of defence.

The English centre-back has made eight appearances this campaign due to the horrific amount of defensive injuries, but he’s shown he’s a powerhouse defender that is great in the air.

There are suggestions from supporters that Phillips could be ideal in trying to deal with Chelsea’s physical frontman Olivier Giroud.

It looks like Klopp will be stuck with the decision to either stick with the Phillips-Kabak combination, or break that up by pushing versatile Brazilian Fabinho into defence.

Here are some Reds fans demanding Phillips plays against Chelsea:

100%.Even if Fab starts it’s for Kabak

— 𝚃𝚃 (@LFCMaxs)

If he doesn’t start, I don’t know what’s wrong with the management, lad puts in 7/10 performance every time and still gets dropped for the next match

— Taherlfc 🇵🇸 (@TTandiwala)

Yes please if Giroud isn’t playing

— Ramyaad🇵🇸 and 139 others (@CFCRaja)

He eats nails for breakfast now with that new haircut of course start him..kind of want Fabinho in midfield maybe for Thiago or Jones

— Lucas (@Lucas_Duston7)

Definitely let the guys confidence grow with every game it’s his position and that’s why he is at Liverpool no matter how far down the pecking order a midfielder should not be taking your place at CB end of

— Alan Stanley (@alanjstanley80)

I think he should start, his prowess in the air will be ideal to shut down giroud.Or else ground will terrorize us to the core. Fab is not that good in air.

— Benson Ndungiti (@ndungiti)

When u think of Chelsea n how Tuchel loves to use Giroud.. It only makes sense that Philips should play.. Maybe Fabinho plays as a DM n provide proper shield for the CB's..

— Syde A Attrakta (@attrakta)

Imo depends on the Chelsea team. If giroud starts up top we need Phillips for the aerial part of the game, but if they start with Werner. We need someone a bit more rapid as Nat is quite slow. But based on performances Nat deserves to continue playing.

— Winthy (@Winthy)

Yeah, been brilliant for the games he has played. 💪🏻

— . (@Kjmcnamee17)