The reason why Nat Phillips missed Liverpool game vs Leeds United

Liverpool saw Nat Phillips miss out against Leeds United as Mohamed Salah relegated to the bench

A report by Liverpool Echo confirmed that Nat Phillips was left out of the Liverpool matchday squad against Leeds United due to a ‘minor’ hamstring injury.

The Reds faced Leeds on Monday knowing that a win would send them into the top 4 for now. But an unfortunate injury to Phillips before kick-off meant that Fabinho had to drop into defence to partner Ozan Kabak.

It seems that the injury curse is still not lifted off the Reds’ heads. Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, and Joel Matip are already sidelined with long-term injuries.

Leeds United players sporting their special warm-up t-shirts before their game against Liverpool. (imago Images)

The 24-year-old Phillips has deputized to great effect in their absence, but his latest fitness issue just sums up the club’s luck with injuries this season. Another notable absentee from the starting XI was Mohamed Salah. (h/t Liverpool Echo)

No injury to Mo

The club’s leading goal-scorer was left on the bench as Liverpool went with a front three of Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and Diogo Jota. But thankfully, unlike Phillips, this was not because of injury.

The Egyptian forward came on in the 71st minute to replace goal-scorer Sadio Mane, whose goal in the first half saw the Reds lead 1-0. But the former AS Roma winger had no impact on the game.

Mohamed Salah is one of the best players to ever play for Liverpool. (GETTY Images)

And Liverpool went on to squander their lead as Diego Llorente’s 87th-minute goal from a corner meant that the points were shared on the night.

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The draw sees Liverpool in 6th position in the table. The race for top-4 has tightened up in the past few weeks and the Reds would want to be safe and finish in that bracket come the end of the season.