Jordan Henderson

[Venton]

Another side to the experience and leadership debate could be giving other players more responsibility and a good refresh of who the leaders are. We all know you need to freshen up the squad to challenge players and keep the team progressing but what about the leadership group.

We saw how much of an impact the change in formation had to finish last season and also how players thrived in it. Look at Trent and how important he was to that change, he thrived under it and took the responsibility of being the focal point brilliantly.

Maybe having players like Virgil and Robbo, for example, take over as the new leaders would lift them to new levels, give them new responsibilities and to challenged.

Also new ideas from the leadership group about building that team spirit and togetherness. This isn’t a knock on Milner and Henderson, just a positive take on what a big change could mean.

This is the way I'm looking at it as well. It's a healthy view.

[RichC]

The captain needs to be a starter though.

A lot seem to be writing Robbo off as a starter next season.

As it stands he’ll be one of the first on the team sheet for me

[peterbread]

Another side to the experience and leadership debate could be giving other players more responsibility and a good refresh of who the leaders are. We all know you need to freshen up the squad to challenge players and keep the team progressing but what about the leadership group.

We saw how much of an impact the change in formation had to finish last season and also how players thrived in it. Look at Trent and how important he was to that change, he thrived under it and took the responsibility of being the focal point brilliantly.

Maybe having players like Virgil and Robbo, for example, take over as the new leaders would lift them to new levels, give them new responsibilities and to challenged.

Also new ideas from the leadership group about building that team spirit and togetherness. This isn’t a knock on Milner and Henderson, just a positive take on what a big change could mean.

[Buzzo]

The captain needs to be a starter though.

I reckon he will be

[Mark79]

Robbo has just recently turned 29 and as I said, these same accusations were levelled at them last year (not necessarily by you) when they are supposed to be in their prime, in the traditional sense.

You may be right about Robbo, but with Klopp's record of reinventing players and the many other examples of players making the same transition, I still think it's a bit early to write him off. But time will soon tell.

Yep I was thinking of Fabinho - see edit.

I think it’s fair to say Robbo has since had another year of regression from his peak. Which is not to say he’s fallen off a cliff. But even so, it’s not as much about writing Robbo off, so much as not thinking he’s the ideal fit for this new system. If we were continuing with the traditional 433, I’d be ok with Robbo for another year as a 1st choice

[RedReet]

He’s 29. Turns 30 a couple of months into the season. I didn’t say he is past it now. I said sell before he is. The past 18 months suggests he regressing.

I’m not underestimating the effect the quadruple push had, especially on particular players. I’ve banged that drum as much as anyone.

Robbo is too short and not strong enough in the air to play left CB in a 3.
He’s been solid defensively overall, but his strengths were always as a flying fullback. Asking him to play LCB is square peg in a round hole. He shouldn’t be 1st choice there.

Robbo has just recently turned 29 and as I said, these same accusations were levelled at them last year (not necessarily by you) when they are supposed to be in their prime, in the traditional sense.

You may be right about Robbo, but with Klopp's record of reinventing players and the many other examples of players making the same transition, I still think it's a bit early to write him off. But time will soon tell.

[Kenneth]

[Mark79]

Since when are players past it at 28? I know Klopp's system takes its toll on players, but these are supreme athletes, with modern science backing them up, so I refuse to believe the likes of Robbo and Fab were done last season. FFS, people were even saying the same about Trent before the position change and he's still a kid. I really think people underestimate the effect the previous season had on our players, both physically and mentally.

Also, don't see why Robbo can't adapt to the new CB/LB position. If worse defenders such as Tierney and Walker can do it, no reason why Robbo can't. I'm sure there are plenty of other examples, Davies and Shaw are a couple that spring to mind. Once again, I wouldn't place too much stock in what happened last year, much like the post Covid year, I genuinely believe there are mitigating circumstances that can possibly excuse a lot of what we seen.

He’s 29. Turns 30 a couple of months into the season. I didn’t say he is past it now. I said sell before he is. The past 18 months suggests he regressing. (Edit - I thought we were taking about Fabinho here initially. Although this more or less still applies, apart from Robbo turns 30 towards the end of this season.)

I’m not underestimating the effect the quadruple push had, especially on particular players. I’ve banged that drum as much as anyone.

Robbo is too short and not strong enough in the air to play left CB in a 3.
He’s been solid defensively overall, but his strengths were always as a flying fullback. Asking him to play LCB is square peg in a round hole. He shouldn’t be 1st choice there.

[Doc_Piptorious]

Maybe he will tone it down himself but encourage more of it in the rest of the team

Szoboszlai has a bit of that in him at times too. He will turn a rough tackle on him into a running battle for the rest of the game.

Even if he is physically outmatched he will nip away at the player that went in on him. He is decent at drawing fouls doing that too.

[RedReet]

He’s really not ideal for that system at all. If we go back to asking the fullbacks to play as before, then yes he’s still a starter. He is another who looks past his best though, even in his natural position.

Since when are players past it at 28? I know Klopp's system takes its toll on players, but these are supreme athletes, with modern science backing them up, so I refuse to believe the likes of Robbo and Fab were done last season. FFS, people were even saying the same about Trent before the position change and he's still a kid. I really think people underestimate the effect the previous season had on our players, both physically and mentally.

Also, don't see why Robbo can't adapt to the new CB/LB position. If worse defenders such as Tierney and Walker can do it, no reason why Robbo can't. I'm sure there are plenty of other examples, Davies and Shaw are a couple that spring to mind. Once again, I wouldn't place too much stock in what happened last year, much like the post Covid year, I genuinely believe there are mitigating circumstances that can possibly excuse a lot of what we seen.

[Exiled_red]

I wonder if robbo was captain, would he need to tone down the ****housery. I think about stuff like when he laughed in Pickfords face- it’s the kinda stuff that the ref will tell the captain to sort him out, but if he’s the captain might not quite get away with it. Either way, I want to see more of it, haha

Maybe he will tone it down himself but encourage more of it in the rest of the team

[Mr Pink]

I wonder if robbo was captain, would he need to tone down the ****housery. I think about stuff like when he laughed in Pickfords face- it’s the kinda stuff that the ref will tell the captain to sort him out, but if he’s the captain might not quite get away with it. Either way, I want to see more of it, haha

[Mark79]

I just don't see it. Robertson has been integral to our success and although his form was patchy last season, I think he's a regular starter in whatever team klopp puts out.

He’s really not ideal for that system at all. If we go back to asking the fullbacks to play as before, then yes he’s still a starter. He is another who looks past his best though, even in his natural position.

[BobTheCharmer]

Not if we're playing the new system and sign a LCB he won't be.

I just don't see it. Robertson has been integral to our success and although his form was patchy last season, I think he's a regular starter in whatever team klopp puts out.

[BootRoom]

So all he’s done is hurt his reputation. Great.

It won't move the needle with his cult, so no harm done, really.