The Return of Glen Johnson

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By @Jack28Booth

Having Glen Johnson return to the line up yesterday was a big plus point yesterday. For me, he is a very important player in this Brendan Rodgers’ team. He is always an attacking outlet and now is able to get back and defend better than before.

Back in a four man defence yesterday, defensively he looked comfortable and made five interceptions, and successfully completed 3/3 tackles, therefore committing no fouls. Johnson seems very comfortable on the ball, an important attribute in a Rodgers team. Yesterday completing 83/90 passes, a 92% pass completion, the majority of passes being in either the attacking third and middle third. As I said, Johnson is a very important attacking outlet and the players always seem to look for him when building an attack. Johnson and Henderson combined 27 times, Skrtel 15 times and Gerrard 14 times. Henderson and Gerrard, both offensive thinking players continuously distributing to Johnson, in hope of building an attack. In games, I always seem to notice Gerrard and others playing a ball to Johnson, as he and the other players trusts Johnson to run down the wing and create a chance. Henderson and Johnson’s combination work were a focal point of Liverpool’s endless attacks yesterday, with 46% of their attacks coming down the right hand side, the side where Johnson and Henderson were operating. Johnson has marauded down that right hand side constantly this season with much success this season. So when Johnson hasn’t been available this season, he has been a big miss and the team have lacked a bit of creativity without him down that right side.

With Johnson in the last 18 months of his contract, if I was Mr Henry, I would be negotiating a new contract with him ASAP even if he will be in his thirties by the time his current contract ends, because in my opinion, Glen Johnson plays a huge part in this progressing Liverpool team.