Jordan Henderson

[Baracus]

If your looking for a 'Quarterback' Gerrard is not one, Gerrard is Like a 'Running Back'. You want Alonso.

[Exiled_red]

The question (about Gerrard as the 'quarterback') has been raised a number of times, he has the ability to play there - he has the range of passing and the defensive ability, the question has always been about his discipline to stay there, and not make the forward runs we've seen in the past, perhaps as he gets older the transition will become easier. But I think we need to have the attacking players ahead of him to make it work, and at the moment we don't have that.

[Imy]

I've said this elsewhere about Henderon, but imo Henderson does many things well but not one is exceptional. I also think too many games seem to pass him by, he's got a lot of areas to improve on.

[Muddled]

I agree that a quarterback would be needed. I still think Shelvey could become a superb passer of the ball and effectively take on the responsibility of a quarterback, giving more mobility when attacking too. As you say, he's more of a link between midfield and attack and I think that's how we'll continue to use him.

As a quarterback role, I take it we're thinking along the lines of Xavi, Alonso, Carrick, Scholes and Adam.

The more I think about it, the more I am finding myself in agreement with you that it will be one of Henderson/Shelvey unless we decide to sacrifice the holding midfielder in favour of a more attacking outfit or Henderson steps up to the plate. He played just ahead of a 'quarterback' for England U21's, pinging passes to the wide areas.

I didn't catch much of the U21 tournament and saw little of Henderson at Sunderland - I'm only going by what I've seen in a Liverpool shirt, so I could very much be proved wrong about his passing range. I just think that Shelvey lacks the central presence needed if we're playing Lucas and Henderson, creating an unbalanced midfield. I'm hoping Adam takes the initiative and develops in to that role, he has the ability with his left foot (not so much with his right, granted), the bigger question is whether he's always going to look top heavy and clumsy, or if he can begin to read the game a little better.

Or perhaps I'm just missing Alonso!

I think the future (not necessarily mine) is:

Winger ------------------------- Winger
------------------ Henderson
--------- Adam
--------------- Lucas

This also raises more questions about what we need from our sole forward though ...

The question (about Gerrard as the 'quarterback') has been raised a number of times, he has the ability to play there - he has the range of passing and the defensive ability, the question has always been about his discipline to stay there, and not make the forward runs we've seen in the past, perhaps as he gets older the transition will become easier. But I think we need to have the attacking players ahead of him to make it work, and at the moment we don't have that.

On paper, you're right - he has the vision, comfortable on either foot(ish), composed and the range - but like you say, he lacks the positional discipline to stay there. I thought when he came back from injury we would see less dynamism and in spells, he has retained a more reserved position. Looking back, I think this was due to match fitness, as the more games he has got under his belt, the more I'm seeing Gerrard roaming - going forward during the early stages and dropping deep towards the latter stages; the only thing that is missing from his old game, his the physical aspect and the firmness in challenges.

Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't want to change Gerrard at all - he is one of my most favourite players ever - but if he isn't going to change now, I don't think he will.

Again, this raises another question as he comes to the end of his career - continue to put Gerrard in the midfield and put the players around him to compliment his ability, or start the rebuild of the most important part of the park ...

[Mostar]

I've said this elsewhere about Henderson, but imo Henderson does many things well but not one is exceptional. I also think too many games seem to pass him by, he's got a lot of areas to improve on.

I have to agree with that but he's very young and as someone pointed earlier he may just need more time and he could turn out be Lucas type of a player/development in few years to come.

[Vermilion]

I have to agree with that but he's very young and as someone pointed earlier he may just need more time and he could turn out be Lucas type of a player/development in few years to come.

Can't put my finger on what it is, but there is something about Henderson that gives me great hope he'll turn into a top player.

I know what Imy means about being able to do lots of things but none of them exceptionally, but maybe that will all come together for him, and he'll at least get better at all those things, and that could be enough to turn him into a very good player indeed.

[Roger]

hindsight's a wonderful thing but in truth, henderson needed another season at sunderland before making a move to a big premier league team.

he's a talented young player with good technique and passing ability but i agree with what people in this thread have stated - that he goes missing too much and needs to take more responsibility.

i'm surprised kenny has played him so much this season.

unlike with downing, henderson busts a gut so fair play(even though it should be a given)

[MrMichael]

hindsight's a wonderful thing but in truth, henderson needed another season at sunderland before making a move to a big premier league team.

he's a talenetd young player with good technique and passing ability but i agree with what people in this thread have stated - that he goes missing too much and needs to take more responsibility.

i'm surprised kenny has played him so much this season.

unlike with downing, henderson busts a gut so fair play(even though it should be a given)

Fwiw I think he's probably have played less had Gerrard and then Lucas not been out for so much of the year, but it has still be a bit surprising how much pitch time he's had.

I still think in the long term that he'll benefit a lot from the experience he's gained this season, and could become an excellent player in time, but he's not yet of a stature where he can dominate or win games on his own, and that has hurt us a bit this year.

[Roger]

Fwiw I think he's probably have played less had Gerrard and then Lucas not been out for so much of the year, but it has still be a bit surprising how much pitch time he's had.

I still think in the long term that he'll benefit a lot from the experience he's gained this season, and could become an excellent player in time, but he's not yet of a stature where he can dominate or win games on his own, and that has hurt us a bit this year.

yeah i agree with all that.

we've had injury problems in midfield, but at the same time he's played ahead of the likes of kuyt/bellamy/maxi in home games - sunderland, swansea, stoke etc and it's left you wondering how kenny can possibly think he's more of an attacking threat than them kind of players.

very much a case of wait and see as far as henderson goes but in an ideal world he'd be a squad player for the remainder of this season. possibly next as well.

[little dave hedgehog]

i think they are setting up a team that is going to peak a couple of years from now rather than immediately. that's my 2 cents anyway. that's why all these players are getting time now, so they can get the knocks out of the way.

[RedReet]

hindsight's a wonderful thing but in truth, henderson needed another season at sunderland before making a move to a big premier league team.
he's a talented young player with good technique and passing ability but i agree with what people in this thread have stated - that he goes missing too much and needs to take more responsibility.

i'm surprised kenny has played him so much this season.

unlike with downing, henderson busts a gut so fair play(even though it should be a given)

Think it’s a bit early to jump to that conclusion. Let’s see what hindsight shows us in a year or two. As Mr M suggested, the experience of playing for a big club and the experience of playing alongside Gerrard and players of his quality could prove invaluable in his development. For all we know, he may have stagnated staying another season at Sunderland, then again he may not. I don’t think the timing of the move was the problem, I think if our senior players and the team as a whole were playing better then he could have easily slotted in and have a positive impact. As it stands, the team as a whole are underperforming, but as soon as things click and performances improve, I expect to see this reflected in Henderson’s input.

[Phoenix07]

Why do we keep playing him on the right wing?

Is it so he learns the movement of players in the central areas or what? So ineffective in that position.

[ric.williams]

Why do we keep playing him on the right wing?

Is it so he learns the movement of players in the central areas or what? So ineffective in that position.

he'll get better through playing. its not as if he is awful at the minute. imagine if we'd given up on lucas

[Phoenix07]

he'll get better through playing. its not as if he is awful at the minute. imagine if we'd given up on lucas

I'm a big fan of Henderson. I just don't see the need to play him on the right when he's so ineffective.

Lucas at least kept things ticking in the middle.

[sssiho]

Thought he had good game yesterday but i agree he is better in middle.