I admit focusing on a negative after Liverpool’s grabbed their first piece of silverware since 2006 is churlish, but I don’t think it hurts to look forward. The Reds deserve credit for having the character and the pluck to see their way through to the final of the Carling Cup and defeat Cardiff City 3-2 in a penalty shootout but once the celebrations are over it will be time to look forward. Despite all the good feeling, there are still clearly some weak links in this Liverpool side and as the race for fourth heats up, it’s worth assessing what changes need to be made.
With Arsenal and Chelsea both grabbing 3pts at the weekend the onus is on Liverpool to prove their mettle in their next Premier League game against Arsenal on Saturday.
Without wishing to add to the healthy dose of discontent that surrounds Sunderland old-boy Jordan Henderson, it’s becoming more and more clear that Liverpool can do better. He’s got a great work rate that is surely the result of him having so much to prove, but a lack of genuine ability seems to be letting him down.
It may be unfair to unload this kind of criticism on a 21-year-old who still has 2-3 years to prove himself at the top level, but I think the Reds will drop points if they continue to rely on him.
His passing and crossing has been found lacking, he provides no goal threat and he’s still struggling to beat his man. The simple truth is that he’s struggling to assert any kind of influence over this Liverpool side.
It may also be the case that playing Jordan Henderson down the wings isn’t playing to his strengths, but it’s not like there’s any room for him in the centre of midfield. Whilst he’ll likely fashion a career as a central-midfielder in the future, he’ll have to learn his trade down the wings and I for one hope that he’s predominantly utilised as a substitute.
Whilst I genuinely believe that Henderson will prove to be an astute Kenny Dalglish signing over the next few seasons, he has been given too much responsibility early on and probably shouldn’t be starting as many games as he has been.
I’d far sooner see the more experienced Dirk Kuyt, Craig Bellamy or even Maxi Rodriguez start ahead of the youngster.
Liverpool should start relying on quality not potential.
What’s your take? Is Jordan Henderson worthy of a starting berth at Liverpool?
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I think its fair to say the answer is NO!!
i cant see how he gets any first team,he should play for reserves till he improves
Agree with you 100%
A big No!
I hv Beller & Kuyt ahead of him.
May be my mom if u insist.
I fear Dalglish may be ruining the kid’s career by playing him in at the deep end, even when his confidence is surely lacking. Dalglish got let off the hook IMO against Cardiff by starting Henderson down the right instead of Kuyt or even Maxi – both far more experienced and accomplished players in that position at club and international level.
So, so true, this article is almost spot on, I would add Adam, Carroll and also the much overated Downing, in the same category, as Henderson.
We also need to get MEN IN THE BOX, when we are attacking!!!, which we are NOT doing.
Love this article cos everyone was spot on,may liverpool’s fans wish come true.
i wish jonjo had gotten half the oppourtunities that hendo has had. instead, he’s been loaned out again. maybe hendo needs some time on the pine to develop some hunger.
It think he doesn’t deserve it . he should be playing for the reserve team rather than first team.
I have a problem with kenny Dalglish and I always had one since the beginning of this season.Great men learn from mistakes and that is underlined by Einstein when he said,”doing one thing with a similar sort of approach and expecting a change is insane”.Henderson have not produced anything to remember eversince he came to liverpool but the other new lads have done that.Kenny continues to field the boy but the experinced omens always change the game and score goals when they are brought on by Kenny when he is close to giving in.Kuyt,Maxi, and Bellas always put a smile on the faces of the kop but are considered minnows to the useles Henderson.Henderson must start games on the bench and come on as a sub without even expecting him to change the game but just giving him a chance.This thing of Kenny saying we are a squad not a team is not a business related thought but a church one.In football there are combinations and you do not have to destroy them.Messi once said,”Iniesta and Xavi are the best midfield pair in the world”,meaning that if you play Xavi alongside someone and not Iniesta,then,there would be no total football-A fact that could be supported by anyone who watches football,even God!A lineup of Reina,Skirtl,Agger/Carragher,Johnson,Enrique,Lucas,Gerrard,Adam,Kuyt,Bellas and Suarez must comeback-Subs Carroll,Kelly,Maxi,Coates,Doni and Henderson must all start on the bench.Playing those crosses to Carroll without him converting them is wasteful and someone analytic can tell you the same,it just puts pressure on Suarez as the opposition knows he is the onlyone dangerous with ball at feet when played with Carroll but Kuyt,Bellas,Maxi,Suarez and Johnson can play a quick one-two to score a goal and someone analytic would say the same.The lineup above is of players with unquestionable self-belief,high profitable workrate and very good at mobility and pressing the opposition at high pace let Kenny deny it on Saturday against Arsenal.I would like to see henderson taking a penalty one day,the guy is still inexperienced and the fact that he did not watch penalties on sunday tell you that he is far below a kuyt,A Maxi or Bellas.Kenny!, give others the respect they deserve please! You are only cursing yourself.
I completly agrees with u.He should start Dirk Kuyt in that wide area.
Why can us fans see that Henderson isn’t good enuff but the guys who gets paid for this can’t ??? I cud see 10games into the season that this boy plays with fear in his heart, I can only guess that Kenny is hoping he does a Lucas & turns out great . £16million cudve well been spent on someone like Oxlade-Chamberlain or Iker Miniuan instead ,Henderson brings nothing to the party workrate is not an excuse to play footy any average man with a great fitness can run around a football field for 90mins no added talent required !
Have been saying it for ages if we in south africa can c his useles why cant kd thats few yards from the playin surface dam maxi goals rodriguez are even getin drop cause keny want to play hendo it to form and it aint working the same goes for carrol his hopeless no movement and desire no anticipation but i do hope we get 4rth ynwa
Totally no,Henderson should go to liverpool reserve and play,Bellamy,Kuty, Maxi,all should be playing full 90min,