Just watching the game again on LFC TV. When you don't watch the game live it is easier to watch specific players because your not blinding and swearing at the ref/players/ball/Mrs. etc. I have asked myself what does Henderson bring to the squad? Watching him now it makes more sense. He has endless energy and never looks tired yet he covers all areas of the pitch, he is never far away from the ball whenever a team mate or the opposition has it. He reads the game well and his passing is very good, he spreads the ball out wide in midfield very well and immediately moves forward. As I write this I look some stats up. Pass success rate was 90% in the Arsenal game and 88% against Sunderland (Highest in the team on both occasions). However, as I have previously stated in other threads he is not good at one on ones, both offensively and defensively (I noticed because it drove me crazy yesterday). He lost all 50/50 challenges yesterday. I got these figures from the Anfield Index. As it says in that progress report, the lad is only 21 and has plenty of time to develop (Lucas at that age?). I certainly feel a lot better about him now and will be happy if he starts against Bolton. Here's to a big future.
Nice thread. I have confidence in him. I feel he needs to bulk up a bit, and then muscle in a bit more. I knew his passing and movement were good already. I'd like to see him become a bigger goal thread as he matures to.
I think with a bit more confidence he can become a threat on goal. He has always been a true professional, doesn't drink and puts a lot of time and effort into his football.
He certainly gets into some good areas, like with that header. He just has to improve his finishing and get my strength behind it.
He's a good player and will get better, solid buy from Kenny we will reap the rewards in years to come.
So far their is no evidence anywhere to make us doubt the "in Kenny we trust" mantra. Some soft tarts questioned each and every purchase we made. Henderson isn't worth the money, Adam only looked good in a poor Blackpool side, We don't want Downing, we want the younger more talented Mata.... but as I see it, we have a few good team players with the right mentality. No-one is ever perfect, everyone can keep improving and getting better. Well done KK, in you we trust.
Got to say that from the initial two games this season I don't rate Henderson at all. I thought he was a passenger against Arsenal, only seemed to pass the ball sideways, offered little going forward and didn't exactly break up the play either. I know he was highly rated at Sunderland so I'll give him the benefit of the doubt for now. Also impressed with his statistics as a crosser of the ball, so perhaps he'd be better utilised on the right side of a midfield four... as opposed to one of three central midfielders in a five-man midfield. Right now I just think there are better players that should be ahead of him - Meireles being the obvious shout.
I watched the Arsenal game live and somehow managed to notice that Henderson kept things ticking with his short passing. People forget that you need players like Henderson to retain possession by keeping it smart and simple. It is the players who don't impress you much at the beginning that you end up appreciating in the end as they become more and more confident in their ability.
As the good Lord said, "Judge not that ye be not judged. For it is the devil's muppet who judgeth with the haste of foolishness."
The word I use for him I think is "stable". Doesn't do anything spectacular- doesn't do anything stupid. He blends into the games so you don't really notice him. As much as some flair and trickery may be nice to watch- he does the job. £16-£20mill worth? Probably not yet, but with time maybe. He's not one of the squad's star players and I think I'd rather we not sold (or on the brink of selling) Aqua and worked him into the squad instead... BUT- I'm not too shocked at seeing him on the pitch... it doesn't make my skin crawl like some others... "Traore, Le Tallec, Poulsen, etc" I don't think Kenny has made any "skin crawling" starting XIs yet this season.
Agreed. Doesn't stand out but does his job well. I've got confidence in him to become an important player in the years to come.
well this is all well and good but you have to come to the view that in his position he needs to do more in a positive sense. needs to make goals. that said............ enrique is the same, both guys need time to settle in fully (no preaseason with us to speak of) they will simply improve game on game. they will both be much better in 10 games time it will be interesting to see when gerrard returns what happens too.
Henderson has a calming influence in the midfield which is good when the team is leading. But very poor in moving the play forward towards goals. Hopes he works on that. He has prospects.
I don't know what it is, and I can't put my finger on it, but Henderson seemed to perform better with Martin Kelly behind him than he did with John Flanagan behind him. I wonder if anyone else noticed that. He did keep the midfield ticking over. He does however need to put more strength into his finishing as the header on saturday was very weak and he was teed up perfectly.
He played more centrally at the weekend, and out wide against Sunderland. He was just more comfortable I think.
