Liverpool’s defeat in the FA Cup last night was their third in the last four matches in all competitions, a run that has coincided with the injury-enforced absence of captain Jordan Henderson, and @LFCVine on Twitter asked followers whether they feel the skipper’s unavailability is a major factor in the team’s recent slump.
https://twitter.com/LFCVine/status/1234957322079948800
The 29-year-old incurred a hamstring injury in the closing minutes of the 1-0 loss at Atletico Madrid two weeks ago, the result which began the Reds’ recent malaise, and has been missing ever since. Without him on the pitch, Jurgen Klopp’s needed to come from behind to beat West Ham at home and then lost to Watford and Chelsea by an aggregate scoreline of 5-0.
Liverpool have now conceded seven goals in their last three games without Henderson, having shipped just five in the previous 13 with him in the team (as per TransferMarkt), while he has been the standard bearer for tackles won in the Reds’ squad, with nobody surpassing his 2.2 match average for this metric (as per WhoScored). Such has been his influence this season that BBC pundit Alan Shearer claimed on Match of the Day that the midfielder should be a leading candidate for the PFA Player of the Year prize (via Goal.com).
The impact of Henderson’s absence was debated among these Reds fans on Twitter, with some feeling he is a massive loss and others claiming there is more to their downturn in form than simply him being missing:
Too complacent. Too slow.
And yes, we miss Hendo for the spark and passion.
— ???? (@KimuTakuReds) March 3, 2020
100% -at least it’s finally realised …makes them tick on and off the pitch !
— Davey D (@shuffer77) March 3, 2020
Big time. He’s a huge miss and better hurry back so we can get these 4 wins!
— Tim Elton (@timmybabes) March 4, 2020
Hendo is massive loss need him back soon ??
— petergreene (@petergreene6) March 3, 2020
Yes we miss him, but thats not the only reason why we are losing games. Watch the tapes, look at all the silly mistakes being made by players in the games. Other players aren’t making the most of the chances they get to shine. That’s why we are losing.
— Bigga Dunston (@JtBigga) March 4, 2020
Noo i disagree klops fault not playin the right key players Henderson is a key player but we could of won that easy if we had the right players on pitch its clear we dont care bout fa cup.
— OGriginal Fistus (@fistusakapoems) March 3, 2020
Dont think he is as important as people make him out to be
— Ross Wales (@RossWales03) March 3, 2020
Yes a miss. But him being out doesn’t suddenly mean we can’t pass to one another. We’ve stopped pressing and seem happy passing it 46 times across the back 4. Where before we move fast through midfield early or wide early. Need a big reset
— Paramveer Kohli (@PazKohli) March 3, 2020
How much of an impact do you think the absence of Henderson has had on Liverpool’s poor form of late? Join in the discussion by commenting below!
