Former Reds defender Stephen Warnock believes strategic tinkering by Jurgen Klopp could lead to the on-field skipper being rotated out of the XI. Jordan Henderson may be club captain at Liverpool but Stephen Warnock feels his place in Jurgen Klopp’s strongest XI may be under threat. After seeing his value and position called into question is nothing new for the 29-year-old midfielder. Football fans can book Premier League Tickets on our website on exclusively discounted prices.
Several would happily have moved him on among initial struggles to make an impact at on-field but, eight years after his appearance, Henderson has the captain’s armband and over 300 appearances to his name. He should look forward to seeing plenty of minutes from this point, but Warnock wonders whether he could be rotated out following the return to full form and fitness of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Some upcoming tests forthcoming for the Premier League leaders, former Liverpool defender Warnock has told: “It feels like there are midfield places up for grabs in this Liverpool side, more so than any other department. Klopp has to decide who best complements each other. In their next game, at home to Tottenham in the Premier League on Sunday, whom he picks might also depend on how he thinks Spurs will line up. If Tottenham plays in a 3-5-2 shape then Klopp will want someone in midfield who can get between their lines to cause problems. You would think that someone would be Oxlade-Chamberlain – especially given the form he is in.”
“I would expect [Georginio] Wijnaldum to come back into the team too and with Fabinho cemented in the side, that would mean no place for Liverpool’s captain, Henderson. That would not be a message that Henderson is out of favor, though.”
“When you are part of a squad at a club like Liverpool or City, you have to understand that the team is being picked to win a specific game, and if you are left out it is nothing personal. All of Liverpool’s midfielders are going to have a part to play in the next few weeks, especially if Klopp decides to rest some of them in certain games – but I would urge caution there.”
“There will be plenty of people who will want Klopp to put out a weakened team against the Belgians, but my mind-set would be not to take any chances. If I were a Liverpool player, I would want to go into the City game feeling sharp and I would not want a week off beforehand. Klopp will know far more about their fatigue levels, however, and that is another area where he has got some big decisions to make.”
Henderson was not used as a substitute against Genk, while Wijnaldum saw 16 minutes off the bench. Fabinho, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita filled the midfield berths, with Klopp bluster substantial competition for places in that area of the field.
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