Jordan Henderson

[Shaggy]

I'd say scoring is something he has not shown himself to be adept at.

Not being pissy or anything, but you mention his lack of assists and goals. I have no idea of the stats but when I picked my fantasy team I sorted midfielders by last season's points total, and Henderson (along with Adam & Downing) was right in amongst the very highest points scorers in the league. Right at the top.

So he must've done something right? Quite a lot in fact?

[Mattshark]

Not being pissy or anything, but you mention his lack of assists and goals. I have no idea of the stats but when I picked my fantasy team I sorted midfielders by last season's points total, and Henderson (along with Adam & Downing) was right in amongst the very highest points scorers in the league. Right at the top.

So he must've done something right? Quite a lot in fact?

I have no idea how they work it out, but I also noted that Lucas had relatively few points in last year in fantasy teams.

[Shaggy]

I have no idea how they work it out, but I also noted that Lucas had relatively few points in last year in fantasy teams.

Me neither really, other than you get points for setting up and scoring goals - which explains Lucas' low total.

[Mattshark]

Me neither really, other than you get points for setting up and scoring goals - which explains Lucas' low total.

[PTP]

lucas got low points because he's ****

[Mattshark]

lucas got low points because he's ****

[PTP]

slow day today...

[Roboklopp]

It's really ****ing annoying that any slight criticism or questioning of Henderson is jumped on so vehemently. Noone is slagging him off, but he has replaced one of our best players of last season and a mainstay of the last 5 years. I've spent years defending Kuyt against criticism and now just cos I argue he shouldn't be dropped, I'm labelled as criticising our players. It's ridiculously reactionary to view our questioning thus.

[Exiled_red]

I know it's the nature of the internet to make snap judgements but writing off Henderson after one game does strike me as a trifle premature.

[BobTheCharmer]

It's really ****ing annoying that any slight criticism or questioning of Henderson is jumped on so vehemently. Noone is slagging him off, but he has replaced one of our best players of last season and a mainstay of the last 5 years. I've spent years defending Kuyt against criticism and now just cos I argue he shouldn't be dropped, I'm labelled as criticising our players. It's ridiculously reactionary to view our questioning thus.

here in lies the problem, it seems that many of those 'questioning' henderson are firmly in the 'kuyt is undroppable' camp and it appears there may be more than a few disgruntled fans upset that dirk has been left out.

[yamiedo]

In my opinion, I would play Maxi on the right against Arsenal over Kuyt and Henderson, surely he deserves that chance after his form towards the end of last season.

[RedReet]

In my opinion, I would play Maxi on the right against Arsenal over Kuyt and Henderson, surely he deserves that chance after his form towards the end of last season.

All Maxi’s best performances have come from the left for us, even under Rafa. Possible a coincidence and no reason not to play him on the right, but most of his performances there for us have been pretty average.

[yamiedo]

Yeah that's true but I don't see why he couldn't do the same on the right. To be fair, Kenny has hardly used him on the right, has he? I think its Kenny's tactics and management that have got the best out of Maxi.

[Roboklopp]

here in lies the problem, it seems that many of those 'questioning' henderson are firmly in the 'kuyt is undroppable' camp and it appears there may be more than a few disgruntled fans upset that dirk has been left out.

More like in your answer is the problem with the level of discussion in this place. There is no "Kuyt is undroppable camp", merely people who think he has done enough to merit someone proving over time they merit dislodging him. I could equally level the opposite argument at you, saying you're happy to play Henderson cos you've been whining about Kuyt for years.

As it happens, I'd have quite happily see Kuyt dropped over the years despite him being one of my favourite players, but that would be for someone with a different skillset- flair, pace and direct play- none of which Henderson offers in sufficient amounts to validate playing on the right IMO.

The tendancy of some here to pigeon-hole others' viewpoints into a black & White "camp" or "brigade" without bothering to understand the nuances of what they're trying to say is completely ****ing mindless and undermines the whole foundations of intelligent debate.

[JohnDoe]

Henderson keeps the ball better than Kuyt and is much more suited for a possession oriented team. I'd say that Kuyt is better in the final third, while Henderson is better for the role Dalglish has earmarked him to fill and has potential to be as smart as Kuyt is offensively.

I feel that Henderson will continue to be underrated even when he settles down this season and produces good performances because his role is going to be unfashionable.

In 4-4-2, one of your wide men has to be able to come inside and play the short passing game or you can be easily overrun by a team playing three in the middle. Henderson's ability to keep the ball under pressure and his wonderful technique in tight situations is going to be valuable to us. His crossing from deep is also a weapon, and he has a knack of getting into the box in good positions, which is a sign of a player who could become a very good goalscoring midfielder.

The guy is definitely the most underrated Liverpool player in the squad and his treatment here has been shocking after just one competitive game at the age of 21.
I'm usually looked at as someone who criticizes "unfashionable players" but the reason why I rate Henderson is because I see a player who could be a wonderful fit for a pass and moving team, those are the players I want in my team.