We love Jordan Henderson and respect him as a footballer, a person and our leader.
But that doesn’t mean we can’t fairly analyse his performances.
He’s not been good enough recently, and was actually subbed off by Jurgen Klopp in the games against Sheffield United and Rb Salzburg when we needed to find a win.
The skipper has lacked any kind of creativity and hasn’t moved the ball fast enough when given the opportunity to.
Naby Keita, on the other hand, was exceptional when he came on and showed the added speed of thought and cut-throat passing his presence could provide us this season.
These stats which went viral on Twitter sum up what he offers in comparison with Henderson.
Henderson – 26 passes completed in 71 minutes
Keïta – 22 passes in 8 minutes
The mantra of picking the ball up deep, carrying it & playing a probing a pass or recycling is what Keïta has in abundance. His integration into the side is the next step in this LFC side’s evolution
— Premier League Panel (@PremLeaguePanel) October 20, 2019
xGBuildup for 2019/20 season
Fabinho 3.68
Gini 3.12
Milner 1.01
Keita 0.63
Henderson 0.60Keita has played just 7 minutes plus injury time this season.
— Stephen Drennan (@babuyagu) October 20, 2019
Surely the no.8 will start against Genk midweek and potentially versus Spurs next Sunday should everything go to plan…
Fabinho is an automatic starter at no.6, but we reckon the spots alongside the Brazilian are up for grabs.
Jurgen Klopp has given priority to Hendo and Gini Wijnaldum for the most part of 2019, but we think this may have changed by the time Christmas comes around.