Jordan Henderson

[Assassin]

If Lucas is not first teamer on a consistant basis, our already underperforming defence would be in tatters

[Kronenburg1892]

Have to agree, Lucas is the only steal we have in midfield. I'd even have Spearing along side him against Everton and United.

[BobTheCharmer]

who wouldn't swop lucas if there was a viera'esq player available? Someone that ran a midfield and imposed himself. In the meantime he is easily the best we have in that role.

[Kronenburg1892]

Viera/Sissoko/Mascherano, I'd still say Lucas has more going forward than any of them, even if he's not the midfield brick wall of the others.

Plus it's worth remembering that Viera had Adams and Keown behind him, both not the most mobile, but solid as ****.

Interesting question, do you use two box to box midfielders, or one destroyer with a solid CB pairing?

[BobTheCharmer]

Viera/Sissoko/Mascherano, I'd still say Lucas has more going forward than any of them, even if he's not the midfield brick wall of the others.

Plus it's worth remembering that Viera had Adams and Keown behind him, both not the most mobile, but solid as ****.

Interesting question, do you use two box to box midfielders, or one destroyer with a solid CB pairing?

Lucas probably at a push has more going forwards than momo & masher but veira chipped in with a few and could head the ****ing ball. 10 times the player of lucas.

I'd choose one destroyer with a strong centre back pairing. Although I'd probably just settle for a strong centre back pairing right now and **** the rest! We definately had better ball rentention and shape playing Lucas & Spearing. But less going forwards. It's a tough one and thankfully its kenny's job.

[Kenneth]

Viera was an awesome box to box player for a few years and I'd pick an equivalent player now in a second. But great players like that don't come round very often and Lucas is doing an excellent job when compared to an other playing in the PL in his position.

Sissoko and Mascherano were both pretty crap going forward though.

[Kronenburg1892]

Lucas probably at a push has more going forwards than momo & masher but veira chipped in with a few and could head the ****ing ball. 10 times the player of lucas.

I'd choose one destroyer with a strong centre back pairing. Although I'd probably just settle for a strong centre back pairing right now and **** the rest! We definately had better ball rentention and shape playing Lucas & Spearing. But less going forwards. It's a tough one and thankfully its kenny's job.

Yeah you're right, Viera did get some quality goals. I'd forgotten how good he was in that regard. Difficult to sift out from Bergcamp, Wright, Petit, Overmars, Anelka, Henry, Pires, Ljungberg, etc. Just goes to show how impotant a solid back four is really.

[danperkins]

Viera was a world class player, Lucas hasn't been great this season but he was magnificent all last season and is probably just feelings the effects of the Copa, i'm sure he'll be back to last seasons form pretty soon.

As for Henderson, he may well turn out to be a great addition in the future i.e. Lucas but at the moment he is not good enough in his current role in our first team. Everton (A) & The Mancs (H) are two extremely difficult games, 4 points from these and i'd be delighted, but Henderson has been a wee bit anonymous, and in these 2 particulars games we can't have any players hiding.

Even though Kuyt hasn't been his best so far this season, he is a player you can count on in the big games IMO. Banker starter for me.

[lfcred]

Yeh i would definitely start kuyt too! Henderson will hopefully come good in the future, otherwise we will have wasted alot of money! but im sure he will with time, but for now kuyts experience will be needed in the games coming up!

[danperkins]

Yeh i would definitely start kuyt too! Henderson will hopefully come good in the future, otherwise we will have wasted alot of money! but im sure he will with time, but for now kuyts experience will be needed in the games coming up!

[Corndog]

i'm not worried about henderson "failing" at liverpool, not yet anyway. i think it is clear to anybody who watches the game he is a hard worker and technically speaking a player with great technique and athleticism this is why i still think he will come good long term.

In the short-term its more difficult, i don't think anybody can fault his effort on the pitch, he runs alot (perhaps too much sometimes) but can be caught out of position, he does make intelligent runs but his team-mates sometimes don't spot these or vice versa ( in that he does not always spot theirs either, passing sidewards/backwards when somebody made a good forward run)- this is an indicator of how much of the team is still in the process of learning each others games. It is a problem that can only be solved by more games and more time.

[Fernandinho]

i'm not worried about henderson "failing" at liverpool, not yet anyway. i think it is clear to anybody who watches the game he is a hard worker and technically speaking a player with great technique and athleticism this is why i still think he will come good long term.

In the short-term its more difficult, i don't think anybody can fault his effort on the pitch, he runs alot (perhaps too much sometimes) but can be caught out of position, he does make intelligent runs but his team-mates sometimes don't spot these or vice versa ( in that he does not always spot theirs either, passing sidewards/backwards when somebody made a good forward run)- this is an indicator of how much of the team is still in the process of learning each others games. It is a problem that can only be solved by more games and more time.

At times I find that he is playing within himself to save the risk of giving possession away, which is understandable at times, but if we never play the risky ball we never create opportunities.

[BigChief]

Henderson could be the future of LFC. We may sign more youngsters like him, or see them come through the ranks, until we have a team which is fluid and controlled (resisting Barca comparisons).

Spongebob Squarepass is only passing sideways for now as he doesn't have belief in himself just yet but more importantly he doesn't believe in possession retainability of those around him. I know the feeling when I play five a side. Depending on which of my mates turn up decides how I play that week. If I'm with ones that are not technically as good as me then most of my passes will be risk-averse, i.e sideways or back to keeper.

I honestly believe if we had 3 or 4 Hendersons across the middle, all of them would play a very tasty one touch passing game and all trusting each other 100%. Anyway, that's my theory.

[Tee]

Henderson could be the future of LFC. We may sign more youngsters like him, or see them come through the ranks, until we have a team which is fluid and controlled (resisting Barca comparisons).

Spongebob Squarepass is only passing sideways for now as he doesn't have belief in himself just yet but more importantly he doesn't believe in possession retainability of those around him. I know the feeling when I play five a side. Depending on which of my mates turn up decides how I play that week. If I'm with ones that are not technically as good as me then most of my passes will be risk-averse, i.e sideways or back to keeper.

I honestly believe if we had 3 or 4 Hendersons across the middle, all of them would play a very tasty one touch passing game and all trusting each other 100%. Anyway, that's my theory.

What you been smoking BigChief?

So you are saying he is deliberately playing cautious because he doesn't have the confiedence in himself or his team-mates? ****ing hell, if that was the case we have pissed all that money down the drain.

Personally I think it is very simple - he is not good enough. Yet.

Let him develop as a squaddie and give him some game time with focus on him needing to prove his worth and actually win his starting place. That normally sorts out the men from the boys.

[red g]

Lucas is testament to playing gAmes makes u a better player. He wasn't good enough to be a regular to start with but his talent has shown through after a poor couple is seasons. Henderson has shown for sund erland he has the ability but he has new team mates around him and also either of our wingers are not benefiting from Andy not being on top form.