---
title: "Gabby Agbonlahor slams Liverpool defender Nat Phillips"
canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/news/gabby-agbonlahor-slams-liverpool-defender-nat-phillips/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dan Clubbe"
section: "Liverpool News"
published: "2021-12-08T17:00:00Z"
modified: "2021-12-08T17:00:00Z"
---

# Gabby Agbonlahor slams Liverpool defender Nat Phillips

Former Aston Villa icon Gabby Agbonlahor has labelled [Liverpool](https://readliverpoolfc.com/2021/12/08/virals-liverpool-lead-the-race-for-jude-bellingham-capture/) defender [Nat Phillips](https://readliverpoolfc.com/2021/11/29/virals-liverpool-defensive-duo-considered-for-january-departures/) ‘not good enough’ for the top-flight.

This comes after the 24-year-old played 90 minutes for the Reds in the San Siro as Jurgen Klopp’s side overcame AC Milan [2-1](https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/ac-milan-1-2-liverpool-highlights).

However, things might’ve been so different for Klopp’s side as the [injury-ravaged](https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/437805-klopp-s-update-on-van-dijk-gomez-matip-and-alexander-arnold-fitness) Anfield club struggled badly at times last season.

Phillips’ [emergence as a viable option](https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/433100-nat-phillips-story-is-inspirational-for-any-aspiring-pro) at the heart of the defence helped the Reds to a 10 game unbeaten run and ultimately a top-four finish.

Despite those exploits, Agbonlahor has told [Football Insider](https://www.footballinsider247.com/agbonlahor-slams-championship-player-phillips-after-liverpool-development/) that the Bolton-born ace isn’t cut out for the top level.

> Nat Phillips is not a Premier League centre-half. I’ve watched a bit of him now at Liverpool and he’s not good enough. For me, he’s a Championship player at best, he’s not good enough for the Premier League, especially at the top end.

The Englishman has now made [four appearances across all competitions](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/nathaniel-phillips/leistungsdaten/spieler/371814) this season and capped off an impressive display at the San Siro with an [outrageous Cruyff turn](https://twitter.com/btsportfootball/status/1468514182458974208) inside the Liverpool penalty area.

### READ LIVERPOOL VERDICT

This is among the more absurd notions to emerge this season.

Not only has Phillips already proven to be a [worthy Premier League performer](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/nathaniel-phillips/detaillierteleistungsdaten/spieler/371814), but arguably one ready for European football.

Perhaps not the most fashionable of defenders, there can be no doubting the ace’s fundamental skill set is [sufficient to survive](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/nathaniel-phillips/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/371814) top-level football.

Linked with West Ham in recent weeks, it remains to be seen whether or not the [£7.2million valued](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/nathaniel-phillips/marktwertverlauf/spieler/371814) man opts to bide his time throughout January remains to be seen.