SM
Thursday, March 28
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data

Jurgen Klopp talks up Ozan Kabak-Nat Phillips partnership

:Headline: Jurgen Klopp talks up Ozan Kabak-Nat Phillips partnership:
The Reds have had injury troubles in defence.
Sports Mole

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp hopes he has finally found a centre-back partnership he can rely on to see him through the remainder of the season.

The on-loan Ozan Kabak and Nat Phillips, who only made his Premier League debut in October at the age of 23, have kept clean sheets in the two matches they have started together.

One was against bottom side Sheffield United but more impressive was the midweek Champions League performance against RB Leipzig, currently second in the Bundesliga.

With Virgil Van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip all-but ruled out for the remainder of the season, Klopp is keen to keep this pair together for as long as possible, not least because it allows Fabinho to return to his preferred central midfield position where he is far more effective.

However, Klopp does not want the pair to think they are on trial to be a longer-term solution for cover next season.

"There is no test now, or whatever. It's not a testing period about a long-term future or whatever. We will see," he said ahead of Monday's trip to Wolves.

"I hope they will stay fit, but I cannot sit here and give guarantees for these kind of things.

“We want to have consistency, and we never had that. Hopefully they can play a lot of games if not all of them”
- Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp on his centre-backs

"It looked good, and if they are physically ready to go again, which I hope, then why should I change it?

"We want to have consistency, and we never had that. Hopefully they can play a lot of games if not all of them.

"If not we have to find solutions. Rhys Williams, I don't want to forget him, he's in a good moment."

Ben Davies was Liverpool's other deadline-day signing after Kabak as the club sought to solve their centre-back crisis but he has yet to make an appearance.

Klopp is content for him to settle into the squad without any pressure.

Ben Davies has yet to make an appearance for Liverpool since his deadline-day move from Preston (Phil Noble/PA)

"Ben Davies had to adapt, that was always clear," Klopp added.

"A lot of players came here to Liverpool and maybe the most famous example is Andy Robertson who took half a year to settle in in a normal season, where pretty much everything else was kind of settled.

"He's a really good player but he has to get used to all the stuff here. That's how it is. We have options, and hopefully it will stay like this."

Asked whether it would be more realistic to consider Davies for next season now, Klopp said: "I don't make these kind of judgements.

"I don't tell Ben now he just has to train until the middle of May and then we will take it further. It will take as long as it takes.

"It was clear we would not start with two new centre-halves if we don't have to, because of the situation.

"It's really important that the boys in the last line are used to each other, and the more games they can play together the better.

"That's why we have figured a bit here and there and tried to make it as consistent as possible – but a lot of things disturbed that process. Ben will play when he plays. That's how it is."

body check tags ::

amp_article__439091 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2021-03-13 15:02:17:
html db last update - 2021-03-13 14:48:21 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html

Click here for more stories about Jurgen Klopp

Click here for more stories about Liverpool

Share this article now:
TM
Read Next:
Tuesday's Liverpool transfer talk: Minamino, Neuhaus, Mbappe
>


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Read more about Jurgen Klopp Ben Davies Ozan Kabak Nat Phillips Virgil van Dijk Joel Matip Joe Gomez Andrew Robertson Rhys Williams Andy Robertson Football
Follow @SportsMole for the latest breaking news stories, and follow @sm_headlines to get every headline from Sports Mole
Recommended Next on SM
Tuesday's Liverpool transfer talk: Minamino, Neuhaus, Mbappe
Pochettino calls for "calm" over Sterling situation at Chelsea

Page options

Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

Arsenal 'optimistic over triple injury boost for Man City clash'

1

A'

Preview: Barcelona vs. Las Palmas - prediction, team news, lineups

2

PB

Key midfield trio 'absent from Real Madrid training on Thursday'

NEW

3

KM

Barcelona could be missing seven players for Las Palmas clash

NEW

4

BC

How Barcelona could line up against Las Palmas

5

HB

Record-breaking Arsenal teenager signs first professional contract

6

RA

Man United 'draw up transfer plan for 18-year-old defender'

7

MU

Preview: Chelsea vs. Burnley - prediction, team news, lineups

8

PC

Man Utd 'add Colombia international to defensive shortlist'

9

MU

Chelsea face five fresh fitness concerns ahead of Burnley game

10

CF


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .