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Sadio Mane says one Liverpool player is quicker in real life than on FIFA 22

Giuseppe Labellarte

Sun 26 December 2021 9:15, UK

Liverpool star Sadio Mane has claimed that Reds teammate Nat Phillips is quicker than the FIFA 22 rating has made him out to be.

The Anfield forward was speaking to about the Liverpool squad’s stats in the game.

When asked who he thought was the slowest player in the Reds team, Mane guessed Fabinho.

And when the host revealed it was Phillips (53), the 29-year-old looked visibly shocked.

“Oh! Okay, wow,” said Mane.

“I think it should be higher. Nat is quicker… I would say Fabinho (is the slowest)!”

Comments aside, Mane’s reaction to Phillips’ FIFA rating said it all.

The 24-year-old is clearly a fair bit quicker than he’s been made out to be.

Indeed, the Premier League website touched upon Phillips’ speed and turn of pace in November last year.

Ahead of Liverpool’s meeting with Leicester, Adrian Clarke : “Phillips has an excellent turn of pace.

“Against West Ham, he registered the third-highest top speed by a Liverpool player this season, which statistically makes him the club’s quickest centre-back.”

Therefore, it’s a bit puzzling that Phillips has been deemed Liverpool’s slowest player.

“Like Baresi”

Phillips is a fan favourite at Liverpool for how he stepped up during their defensive crisis last season.

Pundits have also praised the 6ft 3in powerhouse for his displays at Anfield.

West Ham icon Rio Ferdinand loved seeing Phillips in action against AC Milan in December.

“Look at this from Nat,” he told BT Sport – via the – following his outrageously confident drag-back in the box.

“Two players have just got to pay to get back into the San Siro.

“Just watch Phillips. These two players, Kessie and Zlatan.

“I don’t think they realise they’re going to have to come back into the stadium at some point.

“Beautiful, like Baresi at the San Siro.”