Klopp: Kabak and Phillips are working really well together

[TLW]

Jurgen Klopp has the praised the emerging partnership between Ozan Kabak and Nat Phillips saying they both deserve a lot a of credit for their personal development.

 

The pair have played together on eight occasions in the league and Europe since the arrival of Kabak in the January transfer window.

 

For a couple of young and inexperienced defenders who never in their wildest dreams would have thought they would be starting key games for the reigning Premier League champions, their record in that period is quite impressive to say the least.

 

They have conceded just one league goal in four completed league games and another one when Phillips came on as first half sub for Jordan Henderson in the Derby.

 

In the Champions League, the only blot on the copy book is the three goals conceded in the first leg of the quarter final tie against Real Madrid.

 

On either side of that has been two highly commendable clean sheets against RB Leipzig and the second leg against Real on Wednesday evening.

 

 

Speaking ahead of the clash against Leeds on Monday night (per the Mirror), Klopp said that both players have not had the most straight career paths to this point but have taken to this challenge in fine fashion.

 

“It's good. How we always said – things have to develop, players have to get used to each other, there was never a question about quality or whatever, the boys have quality but then you have to bring it together and then it works.

 

“Especially in defending it is like this and Ozan and Nat do really well, and hopefully it will stay like this.

 

“They could play a lot of games [together].

 

Klopp touched on the challenges of coming to a new leqgue in the middle of a season.

 

“Ozan is a 21-year-old boy, came from Germany here [as] a big prospect.

 

“He was not lucky with the last two teams he was playing with, one went down and the other will probably go down.

 

“Nobody in world football really doubted his quality but coming then and making this big step and winning more games than before, it's really good for him that he can show that. We were convinced but in the end you never know, and he really proved that point.

 

“And Nat Phillips is just an exceptional career so far, with all the things he did in the past and what he thought about and where he was and all these things.

 

“Now playing for Liverpool in the Champions League, Premier League, winning games, winning challenges.

 

“Probably the best heading statistics in the history of the Premier League I could imagine at least, it is unbelievable what the boy is doing there, and on top of that playing good football.

 

“So, it's really nice. Obviously the start, or the restart for one, and the start of a proper career for both – that's really nice."

 

What Klopp was alluding to was the successful clearance rate of Phillips. 

 

In his 12 appearances in the league, the former Bolton junior has averaged a outstanding 4.25 clearances per game along with 2.66 tackles and 1.25 interceptions.

 

In his three Champions League games, the 23 year-old has averaged 3.66 successful clearances, two interceptions and 1.25 tackles.

 

Kabak has also taken to the challenge well with averaging 2.57 clearances, 1.71 tackles and 1.14 interceptions in seven league games and  two tackles and interceptions in three Champions League appearances.

 

While it is clear that the impact and general aura of Virgil Van Dijk along with the quality of Joel Matip and Joe Gomez is impossible to replace, those stats and performances show that Phillips and Kabak have more than held their own in a difficult and unique situation.

 

And in the long run, they will be all the better for it.

 

 

 

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[sir roger]

Wth Kabak ,  I think it needs to be emphasised that he is 18 months younger than Trent , he is more of a foetus than a baby in centre half terms.

 

If funds are relatively tight , I would be happy to go with the three injured guys and these two and spend the majority of money elsewhere.

 

 

[m0e]

1 hour ago, sir roger said:

Wth Kabak ,  I think it needs to be emphasised that he is 18 months younger than Trent , he is more of a foetus than a baby in centre half terms.

 

If funds are relatively tight , I would be happy to go with the three injured guys and these two and spend the majority of money elsewhere.

 

 

Agreed.

 

Although Kabak will cost us 18 mil.

[sir roger]

42 minutes ago, m0e said:

Agreed.

 

Although Kabak will cost us 18 mil.

Fair point , but there was talk of us renegotiating , and the other main options like Konate are considerably dearer.

[magicrat]

Kabak will stay unless his form drops off a cliff in the remaining games. Improving all the time and no way do we ditch a settled player that we have invested months of game-time and training on to take a punt elsewhere. Phillips is what he is and unlikely to get much better but a good back-up imo. 

[sir roger]

I think the position we end up in the league will also possibly have some bearing , as CL , Europa , European Texaco cup  or nothing all have different requirements.