A number of Liverpool supporters have turned to social media to tear apart the performance of midfield mainstay Jordan Henderson in the first half of their clash with Leicester City on Saturday afternoon.
The Reds visited the King Power Stadium looking to keep their perfect start to the season intact and got off to a great start courtesy of an early goal from Sadio Mane, converting a cross from left back Andy Robertson.
However, the supporters were not impressed on Twitter with what they saw from 6’1″ star (source: Transfermarkt) Henderson after he returned to the starting XI, having featured from the bench in all three of the club’s league games this season.
This is Futbol has rounded up a selection of the supporters’ tweets:
Wrong midfield already. Milner Hendo and gigi to similar. #LFC
— Thomaas?? (@lott_tom) September 1, 2018
I love klopp but I don't see why he just has to start Hendo the moment he's fit, especially when the other players are playing well. For real though, what does he offer that keita/fabinho cant. Apart from pointing, there is nothing he can do that the other 2 can't do better. #LFC
— -ZH- (@kingahbearz) September 1, 2018
Hendo is so negative.
— Callum (@LFCallum) September 1, 2018
https://twitter.com/LFCFanzone3/status/1035859550254059521
can we sub Hendo already?
— WEDNESDAY PRESIDENT ?™? (@destinyjnr) September 1, 2018
Hate that sometimes Hendo gets caught ball watching when Trent is being overrun
— ????????? (@kurosakiaduma) September 1, 2018
My one major issue with Hendo sometimes is those hopeful long boots upfield to nobody. Seems like he gets scared when the opposition have some pressure
— Josh (@LFCJosh23) September 1, 2018
Midfield looks at sixes and sevens. All over the place, Hendo obvs won’t be in there long term and I’m hoping Fabinho will join them as well.
— . (@KloppsLegion) September 1, 2018
Henderson really hurts my eyes
— Trent Alexander stan acc (@Tushaar_Lfc) September 1, 2018
Opinion
Well it was quite clear that Henderson has not had the desired impact that Jurgen Klopp would have been hoping for on his return to the starting XI, and the fans have taken to social media to slam his performance for good reason. Is he a defensive midfielder, playing in a box-to-box role or there to dictate the tempo as a deep lying playmaker? It does not look like Henderson knows exactly what he is meant to be doing, and it is up to the manager to sort that out. With the likes of Naby Keita and Fabinho waiting in the wings, there is incredible pressure in keeping a role in the midfield, and the England man, as well as the likes of Georginio Wijnaldum and James Milner, need to be putting in top class performances if they want to stay in the starting XI. Henderson did not offer that in the first half against the Foxes, and maybe Klopp will have to change things around again after the international break.