Liverpool must offload Jordan Henderson as soon as possible
Yes, you heard it right – the English giants should move on from their captain and look for a more creative option in the midfield. Someone who can create chances from the midfield for the deadly trio of Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino.
Liverpool have focused on playing high intensity attacking football since Jurgen Klopp’s arrival at Anfield and Henderson has proven to be a seasoned campaigner for the Reds. But after the arrival of Fabinho, Naby Keita, and Xherdan Shaqiri, the midfield at Anfield looks congested.
Considering the fact that Adam Lallana, Georginio Wijnaldum, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner are already at the club competing for places in the midfield, it would be wiser to offload some of the players to make room for new arrivals.
All the new summer arrivals offer different dimensions to the team and have proven to be great additions to the side. Fabinho is a rock-solid defensive midfielder who has settled well at Liverpool and suits the system. Keita is a creative midfielder who has shown potential and could prove to be an ideal player for the Reds in the future.
Shaqiri is a multi-dimensional player who can play up front, behind the No. 9 and on the flanks. He is good at taking free-kicks and can bully the defenders with his physicality. In fact, he has really shown his worth with important contributions in key games.
Henderson is a typical box-to-box midfielder who works tirelessly in the midfield but is not ideal for the system that Klopp wants to play at Anfield. The Reds would be better off with a creative player in the midfield, someone who can take the onus on himself to create chances and match the attacking prowess of Mane, Salah, and Firmino.
After Phillip Coutinho left Anfield for Barcelona, the Reds have missed a player in the midfield with an eye for goal. Though Henderson is a great box-to-box midfielder and has shown his leadership skills, Fabinho can play that role more efficiently given his physicality and technical abilities.
Now that Fabinho is well-established, the Reds would be better off with an attacking midfielder who can create with an eye for goal. A player with an ability to anchor attacks from the midfield would ideally complement Liverpool’s forward line. Someone like David Silva, Isco Alarcon or James Rodriguez – these are the sort of players Klopp should be looking to sign to compete against the best teams in Europe.
Henderson is still a great player but given the system of play that Klopp has been trying to develop at Anfield, he is not suitable for it. Klopp needs someone who can provide sharpness and creativity in the midfield.
To be fair, the Liverpool captain would be a great addition for a number of clubs across the world. Sooner or later he is going to struggle to get into the team, given the array of talent to choose from at Anfield. Cashing in on the box-to-box midfielder could prove to be a wise move for the club and the player.
