EPL
How PSG expose Henderson’s incompetence
Liverpool’s defeat to PSG didn’t come as surprise to many fans and pundits who claimed the Reds haven’t been superb in this season’s European competition.
The Reds recorded a shock 2-0 home defeat to Serbian side Red Star Belgrade some weeks ago and that opened them up to the danger of not qualifying to next round of the competition.
There were questions from fans as to who will be in Klopp’s starting lineup prior to the enthralling encounter, as it wasn’t certain who will be given the nod to start at the middle of the park.
James Milner, who hasn’t started most of Premier League games played so far, was tipped by the Anfield faithful to return to starting lineup ahead of his compatriot Jordan Henderson.
Some wanted a midfield made of two of the summer signings — Fabinho, and Keita— alongside Wijnaldum.
Despite fans unending calls for Klopp to start Fabinho and James Milner, the German decided to start Jordan Henderson against Paris St-German.
Klopp’s decision backfires
Klopp’s decision to start the 30-year-old midfielder backfired as he was the weakest link at the middle of the team.
His display was nothing to praise as he left his defenders open to direct danger from fast and deadly PSG strikers including Neymar, di Maria and Mbappe.
Henderson has been a shadow of himself, since his switch to Anfield from Southampton some seasons back, no thanks to injury and lack of confidence.
His performance against Watford last weekend was enough prove needed by Klopp to know that the England international wasn’t in top form to start such an important match.
The Reds paid dearly for his incompetence as the backline were made to struggle for the ball at all time.
Henderson vs Neymar
The former Southampton midfielder was meant to battle Neymar at the middle of the park but that appeared as a task too huge to complete.
Neymar was too handful for Henderson to curtain as the Brazilian often tricks him throughout the game.
Neymar’s pace was too much for the player to cope with during the encounter. It won’t be too much to say that Henderson was humiliated and disgraced by Neymar throughout the encounter.
What’s next for Henderson and Jurgen Klopp
With a needless Red card at Vicarage Road against Watford, followed by another woeful display — Henderson should be concerned about his place in the team.
The England international isn’t the solution to Klopp’s midfield problems and he should be dropped to the bench in subsequent matches.
Naby Keita and Fabinho are very much younger and better than him, therefore, Klopp must learn to trust them and feature them in matches more regularly.
As for Klopp, this might be his last season at Anfield, should he fail to win any silverware with the team.
He must give all his players equal chance to feature in many matches so as to see what each of them are up to.
With last night’s results, Klopp must now defeat his next Champions League’s opponent, Napoli, to stand a chance of progressing through to the round of 16
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