Jordan Henderson

[destinydude]

You'd get £7m for Downing (just about ) Adam Johnson went to Sunderland for £12m (he's not twice the player Downing is)

Young English players do have a premium, we paid it - as did Utd with Smalling and Jones as have Spurs and arsenal in the past.

Adam Johnson = Younger + can beat a man and put a cross in or dribble in by beating a man. Downing can do neither consistently. He might just about get us 7m which is about 65% loss that we are going to make.

Despite the so called English premium, it only applied when a player moves to a bigger club from a so called smaller one. Not the other way round.

Kelly will not get us 7m currently. Shelvey probably would as he is an attacking player and he is the flavor of the month.

Edit: Either way, wiki says 10m for Adam J and not 12

[rudedog]

In absence of Lucas, aside from shifting Allen back, nobody is particularly suited to step in. Neither Hendo nor Shelvey are defensively minded ball winners. Henderson has played that role well on one occasion against weak opposition, but what made his performance impressive is what he did with the ball more than without it. It's enough to suggest we should be trying him in that role again - but to say he should be a guaranteed starter for us is jumping the gun IMO.

I think Gerrard could do this role better than anyone we have. I know people say he doesn't have the discipline but I think he does. I think its just that in the past his main strength was bursting forward which would leave gaps at the back - as he gets older, he is doing this less and less anyway.

[destinydude]

I think Gerrard could do this role better than anyone we have. I know people say he doesn't have the discipline but I think he does. I think its just that in the past his main strength was bursting forward which would leave gaps at the back - as he gets older, he is doing this less and less anyway.

Gerrard probably can but I'd rather have Gerrard attacking than defending. Moreover he is the best finisher we have at the cub right now. Such a shame really.

[Imy]

Bottomline is Spearign was never going to make it. He didn't even have half the game intelligence that was needed for a DM/CM. Probably the reason why he is in the lower tier now.

Because he isn't a 'DM' and Kenny wanted him on the right or as a center midfielder. I thought it's that simple clearly

As for BR, we are 4 games in, and he hasn't yet needed to draft in Henderson. Why the judgement already when he was played him in the Europa games consistently in midfield and he has done well in both the games. Desperation much?

Spearing is not the issue, i'm using him as an example of an inferior player being ahead of Henderson in the defensive midfield pecking order. I don't see how you think he can fill in there when his last two managers haven't used him there as a preferred option.

Rodgers is resting the senior first team players in the Europa due to the size of the squad - how is it the likes of the untested Suso and Wisdom are also getting an opportunity? We've played Hearts and Young Boys, lets see how he performs against better opposition.

[destinydude]

Spearing is not the issue, i'm using him as an example of an inferior player being ahead of Henderson in the defensive midfield pecking order. I don't see how you think he can fill in there when his last two managers haven't used him there as a preferred option.

Rodgers is resting the senior first team players in the Europa due to the size of the squad - how is it the likes of the untested Suso and Wisdom are also getting an opportunity? We've played Hearts and Young Boys, lets see how he performs against better opposition.

The only reason Spearing played there is because he is a better tackler than Henderson and that's about it. Moreover last season, Henderson was playing center mid/right mid so it hardly is a case of 'Spearing being preferred over Henderson'. If anything it was we have no one so just get Spearing in there as he can tackle a bit.

This is exactly the point where you are itching for him to fail, aren't you?
he has clearly played well in center mid last season. The only thing he is guilty of if anything is not playing more speculative forward passes and giving the ball away cheaply like for example, Gerrard has been doing this season.

The likes of 'Suso' and 'Wisdom' are getting chances because the squad is thing and we are looking to promote from within.

I have every reason to believe Henderson will fit in well when he's given the chance in the league this season. After all, if he was so ****ing crap and mentally weak, he wouldn't have been brought on against Italy of all teams in the Euros.

[Red_Polo]

I think Gerrard could do this role better than anyone we have. I know people say he doesn't have the discipline but I think he does. I think its just that in the past his main strength was bursting forward which would leave gaps at the back - as he gets older, he is doing this less and less anyway.

Yeah, I think he could probably do the role better than anyone else we have.

Problem is we could still say that about most positions and I think if we're going to shift him anywhere it should be forwards, his final ball and shooting are probably more precious to us than his defensive assets. Lucas being out really gives us a dilemma, amazing how important he's become to us.

[Imy]

The only reason Spearing played there is because he is a better tackler than Henderson and that's about it. Moreover last season, Henderson was playing center mid/right mid so it hardly is a case of 'Spearing being preferred over Henderson'. If anything it was we have no one so just get Spearing in there as he can tackle a bit.

This is exactly the point where you are itching for him to fail, aren't you?
he has clearly played well in center mid last season. The only thing he is guilty of if anything is not playing more speculative forward passes and giving the ball away cheaply like for example, Gerrard has been doing this season.

The likes of 'Suso' and 'Wisdom' are getting chances because the squad is thing and we are looking to promote from within.

I have every reason to believe Henderson will fit in well when he's given the chance in the league this season. After all, if he was so ****ing crap and mentally weak, he wouldn't have been brought on against Italy of all teams in the Euros.

Why would i want one of our own players to fail I just don't think he's good enough.

I've criticised Gerrard for his poor games, so it's not just Henderson

As for the England thing, Hodgson had slim pickings.

I know it's old but also:

http://thekop.liverpoolfc.com/_Spearing-or-Henderson-STATs/blog/5540517/173471.html

[baitman]

One good performance against a **** Swiss side and people are calling for Henderson to be starting league games
A lot of short memories around here it seems, Jordan's overall form last season was among the worst I've ever seen from a Liverpool player and before people use the out of position excuse he got plenty of opportunities last season to play in the middle and without exception was truly, utterly ****e, a totally ineffective, non entity.

I'm not writing Jordan off btw because I think that he could potentially one day be a respectable bench warmer but the amount of excitement on here after a good showing against the formiddable Young Boys is farcical.

[baitman]

The only reason Spearing played there is because he is a better tackler than Henderson and that's about it. Moreover last season, Henderson was playing center mid/right mid so it hardly is a case of 'Spearing being preferred over Henderson'. If anything it was we have no one so just get Spearing in there as he can tackle a bit.

mate, you talk as if tackling is a non essential for a midfielder. it doesnt matter if they are classed as a DM or not, if a player cannot tackle effectively then he isnt a good enough footballer...

maybe hendo will improve this side of his game, and will come good, but even you admit that spearing was getting the nod over hendo as he coudnt/wouldnt tackle.

[Chazza]

Paul Scholes can't tackle.

[Kenneth]

Yep, that Paul Scholes was a **** midfielder.

[Chazza]

[baitman]

Paul Scholes can't tackle.

he cannot tackle cleanly, but the little ****er certainly gets his foot in. maybe now he is using a mobility scooter he might just keep the ball moving and stay away from the rough stuff, but he has whanged a good few people in his time.

[destinydude]

Paul Scholes can't tackle.

Yep, that Paul Scholes was a **** midfielder.

Must have been such a **** player. Spearing would have got to play ahead of him as he couldn't/wouldn't tackle.

[destinydude]

mate, you talk as if tackling is a non essential for a midfielder. it doesnt matter if they are classed as a DM or not, if a player cannot tackle effectively then he isnt a good enough footballer...

maybe hendo will improve this side of his game, and will come good, but even you admit that spearing was getting the nod over hendo as he coudnt/wouldnt tackle.

I said Henderson was playing as a CM/RM and hence Spearing got the chance to play a DM. Either way such a terrible footballer that Henderson as he refuses to tackle. I mean look at Lee Cattermole that terrific player who plays regularly for England sets the world alight