Thread by @footyanalytica

Nathaniel Phillips Thread :

@LFC's injury crisis last season led to Jurgen Klopp trying as many as 19 different centre-back combinations. Eventually, Nat Phillips stepped up putting in a valiant shift, helping them secure a CL spot.
#NatPhillips #LFC #Liverpool #EPL #DataViz

Phillips’ no-nonsense approach to centre-back for this Klopp team saw him record a surprisingly well-balanced output. He was exceptional in the air and was an effective distributor of the ball too.
#Phillips #LFC #EPL

Phillips averages 8.81 clearances & 6.05 areal duels, ranking him the highest for these metrics in Europe’s top 5 leagues.
He wins very few tackles & gets dribbled past often. This could mean he doesn’t lunge into challenges, however, 1.62 fouls committed per game contradicts it

So tackling is definitely an area Phillips could work on.
However he excels in successful pressures & interceptions. In addition, committing zero errors last season indicates he read the game fluidly and didn’t have concentration issues.

Phillips routinely played passes into the final third, recording a variety of key & progressive passes under his belt. Moreover, he recorded 7.09 passes under pressure per game. His optimistic passing profile is complemented by a healthy pass success rate of 87.3%.
#tableau #lfc

The following spatial vizzes highlight Phillips’ action zones .(1/2)
He averages 4.17 progressive passes and 4.85 passes into the final third per game.

Moreover, his aerial duels and ball recoveries are focused on the right-hand side. Being able to play from a line that high up the pitch is commendable for a player that had very few appearances before his cameo. (2/2)

With Liverpool’s starting centre-backs making a return, it is unlikely to see Phillips get many games for the Reds this season. Yet, his per 90 statistics hold up with the likes of some well-known centre-backs in Europe.

#Maguire #Phillips #Hinteregger #EPL #Bundesliga

Phillips’ price tag of  £7.5 m could be a bargain for the right club. He stepped up for his team in a crucial time, and his performances could open doors for a more central role for another team.