Henderson
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He played very well yesterday, but I despair at the fact that he's being played so high up the pitch. There is absolutely no long-term future for him as an attacking midfielder for him. He hasn't the skill, the vision or the goalscoring ability.
There's a good player in him, I've always said, but Rodgers needs to find a position for him pronto. I can only hope this exercise of playing him further up is just an effort to get him to try and be a bit more adventurous, which seemed to work with Enrique in playing him at left-wing for a period. If this is going to be a long-term thing, it's going to do no one any good - neither the player nor the club.
There's a good player in him, I've always said, but Rodgers needs to find a position for him pronto. I can only hope this exercise of playing him further up is just an effort to get him to try and be a bit more adventurous, which seemed to work with Enrique in playing him at left-wing for a period. If this is going to be a long-term thing, it's going to do no one any good - neither the player nor the club.
First 60 minutes I thought he was fantastic and a lot of Arsenal's problems came from him pressing so high up the pitch but once he scored he lost his edge IMO.
Still, he played his heart out before that and was an asset on the pitch so I'd keep him there on present form.
Still, he played his heart out before that and was an asset on the pitch so I'd keep him there on present form.
I don't think this is a present form argument. Part of the reason we're so rubbish defensively, is that we're struggling to establish any sort of control in midfield against decent opposition. Playing midfielders out of position is the prime reason for that. That, and the fact, that we still don't have the faintest clue of whether we're playing a 4-2-3-1, a 4-3-3, a normal triangle, an inverted triangle or whatever the fuck it is.
As things stand, this is the midfield personnel: Lucas, Henderson, Shelvey, Allen, Gerrard, Suso (and Sahin, who's now gone).
Of these, only Lucas has a fixed position, and he's bang on average. Gerrard's had a fixed position for years - a position he established himself as one of Liverpool's greatest ever, and one of Europe's best reasons - where his pace, power, technique, skill, goalscoring shone like a fucking superstar's. But for the most twisted logic ever, he's been pushed back into a role where he only plays kick and rush football - which is effective agaisnt the likes of Norwich, or any other team with a piss-poor midfield, but against any team which can pass the ball around well, and maintain possession, it sticks out like a sore thumb.
The rest - Allen, Shelvey, Suso, Henderson are nowhere close to finding their best positions. And Rodgers seems to do nothing to help them find it.
The small and weak Allen is played at holding midfield, and despite all talk of him 'coming into his own' once Lucas returns, we've not once seen him play in that further position (except a brief 20 minute cameo).
Henderson, who has little skill, vision or goalscoring ability is played in the highest position up the pitch - this when Lucas is churning out average performance after average performance. Surely, Henderson can have a go at the holding position - he's disciplined enough, is a good passer, has good energy, and is stronger and quicker than Lucas.
The slow and almost ponderous Shelvey is played in the 'hole' of all places. A position which requires some dynamism, skill and quick feet. Granted he has an eye for goal, but that's never ever going to be his position. If he's going to make it, it'll only be as a deeper player.
And not to forget Sahin - two years ago, the best young deep-lying playmaker in Europe, and he's again played high up the pitch. He had neither pace or the dynamism, what exactly was the point? With him gone, we've lost a player who could've brought some guile in the deeper midfield positions, which is absolutely critical for a team wanting to play possession football.
What exactly is Rodgers trying to do with the midfield? I'd love to know.
As things stand, this is the midfield personnel: Lucas, Henderson, Shelvey, Allen, Gerrard, Suso (and Sahin, who's now gone).
Of these, only Lucas has a fixed position, and he's bang on average. Gerrard's had a fixed position for years - a position he established himself as one of Liverpool's greatest ever, and one of Europe's best reasons - where his pace, power, technique, skill, goalscoring shone like a fucking superstar's. But for the most twisted logic ever, he's been pushed back into a role where he only plays kick and rush football - which is effective agaisnt the likes of Norwich, or any other team with a piss-poor midfield, but against any team which can pass the ball around well, and maintain possession, it sticks out like a sore thumb.
The rest - Allen, Shelvey, Suso, Henderson are nowhere close to finding their best positions. And Rodgers seems to do nothing to help them find it.
The small and weak Allen is played at holding midfield, and despite all talk of him 'coming into his own' once Lucas returns, we've not once seen him play in that further position (except a brief 20 minute cameo).
Henderson, who has little skill, vision or goalscoring ability is played in the highest position up the pitch - this when Lucas is churning out average performance after average performance. Surely, Henderson can have a go at the holding position - he's disciplined enough, is a good passer, has good energy, and is stronger and quicker than Lucas.
The slow and almost ponderous Shelvey is played in the 'hole' of all places. A position which requires some dynamism, skill and quick feet. Granted he has an eye for goal, but that's never ever going to be his position. If he's going to make it, it'll only be as a deeper player.
And not to forget Sahin - two years ago, the best young deep-lying playmaker in Europe, and he's again played high up the pitch. He had neither pace or the dynamism, what exactly was the point? With him gone, we've lost a player who could've brought some guile in the deeper midfield positions, which is absolutely critical for a team wanting to play possession football.
What exactly is Rodgers trying to do with the midfield? I'd love to know.
How many would have gone down when they felt that arm on their shoulder?? Job well done!
T
the_khl
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Henderson's pressing game last night was terrific. And his goal full of spirit. I for one believe he should get a prolonged outing in the team. One of our best performers of late.
Too bad he is a Kenny "Dont-Have-A-Fucking-Clue" Dalglish signing.
What difference that that make? As long as he's performing well who gives a fuck what kind of a signing he is?
The main problem is that we're fairly used to having world class midfielders at Liverpool and right now when Gerrard is not on his A game we have none.
I've been as positive as the next guy about the likes of Henderson and Shelvey (without going overboard like some) but really they're at a level where they need to be squad players in an aspiring team or 'accommodated' in a side that is already more or less the finished article.
That doesn't really excuse Rodgers though because I do think he could be doing more to organize and setup up the team better. We just play so naively at times - it's very frustrating.
I've been as positive as the next guy about the likes of Henderson and Shelvey (without going overboard like some) but really they're at a level where they need to be squad players in an aspiring team or 'accommodated' in a side that is already more or less the finished article.
That doesn't really excuse Rodgers though because I do think he could be doing more to organize and setup up the team better. We just play so naively at times - it's very frustrating.
Kenny tried to blood him in slowly and didn't really get a chance to see the pay-off. He prefers that technique to the "throw the youngsters into the team and butcher them in the press if they don't perform" technique.
All I know is 1 technique is working for Henderson.
What?? Kenny played him almost every game despite one inept performance after another - albeit out of position.
Furthermore, he dropped more experienced and proven players in favour of Henderson.
Besides, he's been a Premiership player for over 2 seasons now, why shouldn't he get bollocked if he's shite. Either he'll respond or he won't.
If he doesn't he's mentally weak and doesn't have the will to win: sell. Or he reponds and proves himself : what he's starting to do.
If he doesn't he's mentally weak and doesn't have the will to win: sell. Or he reponds and proves himself : what he's starting to do.
Does this mean we don't call him Hendermong or Horrenderson anymore?
Wait until it's definitely not a lucas style purple patch I say
Dont agree. He played him too much and in a position that he wasn't/isn't comfortable with.
I'd interpret blooding him in slowly as starting him in certain games, and some cameo appearances thrown in.
As much as I'm encouraged by Henderson's form, I'm still at a loss as to where he fits in eventually to that midfield three. I can't see him in the advanced midfield position, and I'm not sure his passing is good enough to be the playmaker in the centre. I'm also not convinced he's a defensive mid. I feel the same about Shelvey.
Why cant you see him in the advanced role? He has finally been trusted in it and got two goals in two games.
I think he looks good there. Not creative enough yet but solid.
I guess long term he would be the Gerrard replacement, but right now hes shown he can be valuable to the squad.
Shelvey looks totally out of favour now and may as well go out on loan again.
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