Naby Keita

[Irishnev]

I don't know if this is true but from some random on twitter:

In the last 3 seasons, due to an injury, Naby Keita missed 2 games more than Henderson and 7 than Fabinho

Henderson has been unavailable for more games - he just gets picked when fit and Naby doesn’t. I’ll get crucified for this but Hendo isn’t as good a footballer as some make out and his shouting doesn’t make up for it for me He was a car crash at CB (not his fault) and Klopp really ****ed up playing him there when Nat and Rhys were fit......

But

He is clearly a huge presence in both the team and squad. His energy and drive add a lot to us but I’d be phasing him out due to age and availability

[Buzzo]

Henderson has been unavailable for more games - he just gets picked when fit and Naby doesn’t. I’ll get crucified for this but Hendo isn’t as good a footballer as some make out and his shouting doesn’t make up for it for me He was a car crash at CB (not his fault) and Klopp really ****ed up playing him there when Nat and Rhys were fit......

But

He is clearly a huge presence in both the team and squad. His energy and drive add a lot to us but I’d be phasing him out due to age and availability

Tin hat time for sure Nev.

I totally disagree and think that Hendo is vastly under rated. He’s not Gerrard. But in terms of providing the cohesion to the midfield under the formation we play he is vital.

He is the best presser in the team, the best tackler, has the highest work rate and still provides assists, or the pass before an assist. Through all of this he dictates tempo.

It was when I went to the two games at Anfield that I saw it best. He dictates absolutely everything and against Athletico in particular he was absolutely immense. That’s before you talk about desire and leadership - he is the one (along with Milner) that set the standards over the last few years.

He wasn’t even that bad at CB and played there when we won at Spurs and away at West Ham.

He has been a huge miss this season. I reckon he’s got 2-3 more in him.

The three seasons prior to this he played 125 games, and was averaging about 30 games in the PL.

[Fredo]

Thought he was good at centre back and I can see him playing in a back three later on in his career. He reads the game well, which is probably the most significant trait a centre back can have.

[Mr Pink]

Tin hat time for sure Nev.

I totally disagree and think that Hendo is vastly under rated. He’s not Gerrard. But in terms of providing the cohesion to the midfield under the formation we play he is vital.

He is the best presser in the team, the best tackler, has the highest work rate and still provides assists, or the pass before an assist. Through all of this he dictates tempo.

It was when I went to the two games at Anfield that I saw it best. He dictates absolutely everything and against Athletico in particular he was absolutely immense. That’s before you talk about desire and leadership - he is the one (along with Milner) that set the standards over the last few years.

He wasn’t even that bad at CB and played there when we won at Spurs and away at West Ham.

He has been a huge miss this season. I reckon he’s got 2-3 more in him.

The three seasons prior to this he played 125 games, and was averaging about 30 games in the PL.

100% agree. He’s class

[wiw]

It would be really galling to see him move on, stay fit and be brilliant somewhere else, but it's probably time he moved on.

We've been linked with Harvey Barnes quite heavily, and Tielemans would be a great signing imo....so maybe we could get something done with them.

You just know this will happen

Really wouldn't like to see him move elsewhere in England, but we'd get the most money that way I suppose.

[Irishnev]

Tin hat time for sure Nev.

I totally disagree and think that Hendo is vastly under rated. He’s not Gerrard. But in terms of providing the cohesion to the midfield under the formation we play he is vital.

He is the best presser in the team, the best tackler, has the highest work rate and still provides assists, or the pass before an assist. Through all of this he dictates tempo.

It was when I went to the two games at Anfield that I saw it best. He dictates absolutely everything and against Athletico in particular he was absolutely immense. That’s before you talk about desire and leadership - he is the one (along with Milner) that set the standards over the last few years.

He wasn’t even that bad at CB and played there when we won at Spurs and away at West Ham.

He has been a huge miss this season. I reckon he’s got 2-3 more in him.

The three seasons prior to this he played 125 games, and was averaging about 30 games in the PL.

We have missed him no doubt but I think he is over rated as a footballer - I still acknowledge he’s a great leader who adds intangibles to the squad. His desire and drive are superb also. The amount of chances he gave up at CB was very noticeable from people running in behind him but that’s because he is an attacking mid playing in defence.

His lack of availability is a massive worry and I don’t think his body can cope with too many games - he needs to be managed. It will be a hill I die on and most likely alone

[Fosterbloke]

****ing hell Nev, Henderson is a brilliant footballer. He's tactically world class for a midfielder which is something not easily noticed until he's not there. Fabinho is the same, just in the right place all the time.

[frank the tank]

His leadership is immense and its like Buzzo said, when you see him up close at anfield it's obvious how important he is to the team. With Henderson in the team, he drives on the likes of trent, Robbo, Ox, Jones and gomez to better levels. With Virgil doing something similar, those little improvements of the other players makes the difference

But Nev is right too. Hendersons not going to be around forever and whereas before milner would step in as the midfield general, that won't be an option in a years time either. I think whoever we buy to replace Gini, and hopefully Keita and Oxlade too, we should look for someone with good leadership qualities.

I think he will end up at united or City but someone like declan rice might be a good shout for this.

[Irishnev]

****ing hell Nev, Henderson is a brilliant footballer. He's tactically world class for a midfielder which is something not easily noticed until he's not there. Fabinho is the same, just in the right place all the time.

It’s a hill I’ll die alone on - I really rate him as a leader and a driving force in the squad. I think Fab is a tactically world class midfielder whereas Hendo is good

Don’t get me wrong I think Hendo, Fab and Thiago is the 3 I’d prefer to be fit and firing for us but I think as a footballer we (Liverpool fans) overrate him

It might be my blindspot - that and still thinking Naby will come good

[Norbs]

I'll get your Płaszcz, Nev

[Norbs]

It’s a hill I’ll die alone on - I really rate him as a leader and a driving force in the squad. I think Fab is a tactically world class midfielder whereas Hendo is good

Don’t get me wrong I think Hendo, Fab and Thiago is the 3 I’d prefer to be fit and firing for us but I think as a footballer we (Liverpool fans) overrate him

It might be my blindspot - that and still thinking Naby will come good

I'm not sure we do overrate him, other fans certainly underrate him though. He has limitations, ability to stay injury free being one of those, but his ability to morph is world class. He's our most disciplined player and how he's instructed to play clouds how he really is as a player, IMO

[Irishnev]

I'll get your Płaszcz, Nev

Good oul Google translate

[danperkins]

Is Keita gone yet?

[Doc_Piptorious]

Henderson has been unavailable for more games - he just gets picked when fit and Naby doesn’t. I’ll get crucified for this but Hendo isn’t as good a footballer as some make out and his shouting doesn’t make up for it for me He was a car crash at CB (not his fault) and Klopp really ****ed up playing him there when Nat and Rhys were fit......

But

He is clearly a huge presence in both the team and squad. His energy and drive add a lot to us but I’d be phasing him out due to age and availability

I think Henderson the player ( the current version given he turns 31 in less than a month and is more prone to injury niggles) is replacable and I can think of a number of players that I would have over him in terms of ability to fill his playing role - names like Valverde, Goretzka, and maybe even someone like Zakaria. Though I think it is a bit telling that the sort of names I am throwing out there as those I would replace him with are either high level players or ones that look like they could become high level players.

But Henderson the man is a bit different with regards how to replace him imho. Something that you have alluded to yourself in your post. I was not always his biggest fan as I often saw him as being a decent but somewhat limited players in his early years at the club, however he has grown into the role of leader and he offers something a bit more intangible than playing ability and stats when he is fit and on the pitch.

I think he is almost like a comfort blanket at times when he plays. He seems to bring a level of calm to players around him and he does a lot of the so called simple things very very well and that allows the more creative or direct players the time and room to operate.

Do agree that next season is when we should be looking to phase him out/manage his minutes a bit better and be blooding in his replacement whilst Henderson is still here rather than waiting for Henderson to be gone before replacing him.

[baitman]

Whoever we replace henderson with will obvs have to be a decent powerful midfielder, but what we cannot take for granted is his leadership qualities and how he is constantly organising and driving others on.

In time Henderson will probably take over the milner role.
Who can be the next captain