---
title: "Liverpool: Fans want Nat Phillips to start against Chelsea"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/liverpool-fans-want-nat-phillips-to-start-against-chelsea/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "David Comerford"
section: "Liverpool Football Club"
published: "2021-03-02T12:15:54Z"
modified: "2021-03-02T12:15:54Z"
---

# Liverpool: Fans want Nat Phillips to start against Chelsea

**In response to a question from Liverpool news feed [@TheAnfieldTalk](https://twitter.com/TheAnfieldTalk/status/1366546400549470209), Reds fans have called for Nathaniel Phillips to keep his place for Thursday’s vital clash with Chelsea.**

Phillips lined-up alongside January signing Ozan Kabak for Sunday’s 2-0 win at Sheffield United.

He was drafted into the starting XI to replace Jordan Henderson, who picked up an injury in the Merseyside Derby.

Phillips turned in a solid performance, winning a team-high seven aerial duels (via [WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1485358/Live/England-Premier-League-2020-2021-Sheffield-United-Liverpool)).

Fabinho, who has been filling in at centre-half during Liverpool’s injury crisis, is expected to be fit again (via [Goal](https://www.goal.com/en/news/klopp-expects-alisson-jota-and-fabinho-to-be-ready-for/vsa0gzlcn6k01glv6uwegc5v4)). That leaves Jurgen Klopp with something of a selection dilemma.

He may elect to play Fabinho in his preferred midfield slot and stick with Sunday’s pairing, but the Brazilian was excellent at centre-back in September’s reverse fixture, which Liverpool won 2-0.

In fact, he’s proven capable of marshalling some of the league’s top attackers as a makeshift defender, so Kabak’s run of four consecutive starts may be halted.

It is a crucial game in Liverpool’s season, offering them the chance to leapfrog their top-four rivals.

### Should Phillips start v Chelsea? Fans have their say

**“Easy. Should be on paper for the remainder of the season until Virg/Matip/Gomez return.”**

Credit: [@LFCDGSx](https://twitter.com/LFCDGSx/status/1366673191331053568)

**“100%. Even if Fab starts it’s for Kabak.”**

Credit: [@LFCMaxs](https://twitter.com/LFCMaxs/status/1366672382656720898)

**“Definitely, he’s our best centre half atm”**

Credit: [@SeventySixRole](https://twitter.com/SeventySixRole/status/1366554271223791616)

**“Yes we need centre backs as centre backs! Wins aerials battles and a good tackler, slightly lacks a bit of pace but I’d prefer Fab back in midfield protecting the defence”**

Credit: [@duncanrees10](https://twitter.com/duncanrees10/status/1366550586162880512)

**“He eats nails for breakfast now with that new haircut of course start him… kind of want Fabinho in midfield maybe for Thiago or Jones.”**

Credit: [@Lucas\_Duston7](https://twitter.com/Lucas_Duston7/status/1366548872097595406)

**“Personally I think he’s done better than Kabak”**

Credit: [@LFC\_Trent66\_](https://twitter.com/LFC_Trent66_/status/1366547357287002113)

**“100% he’s the only one capable of handling Giroud”**

Credit: [@LFC4NAIJA](https://twitter.com/LFC4NAIJA)

**“Think the key is to keep playing the same back four in all matches, from now and get Fabinho back to the DM.”**

Credit: [@sonmul17](https://twitter.com/sonmul17/status/1366630193440428032)

**In other news, Fans react to [James Pearce’s Curtis Jones tweet](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/liverpool-fc-news/liverpool-fans-react-to-james-pearces-curtis-jones-tweet/).**