Agbonlahor lambasts Nat Phillips as a ‘Championship’ player as ‘big’ Liverpool worry exposed
Nat Phillips is a “Championship defender” and not good enough for Liverpool, according to Gabby Agbonlahor.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Aston Villa and England attacker claimed Phillips was “very poor” during Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace on Monday night (15 August).
The 25-year-old was making his first Premier League start since the end of the 2020-21 season when he played the full 90 minutes against the same opponent.
He was replaced by Joe Gomez after 60 minutes on Monday night as he struggled with Palace’s attack.
Gomez was not fit enough to start at Anfield and Ibrahima Konate and Joel Matip are also out injured at the moment.
Asked for his verdict on the Reds’ start to the season, Agbonlahor told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley: “I think it’s a big worry.
“I looked at Liverpool against Palace and to be honest, they struggled. They started the game off very well with high energy but eventually Palace got into the game.
“I said Nat Phillips was not a Premier League defender last season and I got a backlash from Liverpool fans. He’s proved it again.
“Phillips is not a Premier League defender. I just don’t understand how you can play offside when you can see Zaha is running in front of you.
“It’s very poor defending and he was poor all night.
“That cost Liverpool, having a Championship defender playing.”
Phillips was the hero for Liverpool in 2020-21 as they rescued a top-four finish amid an unprecedented defensive injury crisis.
He signed a new contract last summer but the second half of last season on loan with Bournemouth who won promotion from the Championship.
In other news, Liverpool have been told to table a Leroy Sane bid after a journalist’s transfer update.