The next Liverpool manager, Brendan Rodgers, faces several challenges at Anfield.
What will be expected of him is to get the side passing and moving in the same way his Swansea City side did, winning so many plaudits along the way.
A question which remains to be seen is whether the current Liverpool squad has the personnel to be able to play such fluid football.
Jay Spearing, Jordan Henderson, Jonjo Shelvey, are three who will strive to impress. Of the three Shelvey has the most natural talent, while ball-winner Spearing presents the biggest challenge.
Perhaps the most important of the three to get playing ‘the Swansea way’ – is £20 million man Jordan Henderson.
Liverpool will of course make signings in midfield, but in view of his hefty price tag, limited resale value and young age, Henderson is unlikely to be cast aside.
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He has taken a fair amount of flak over the past 12 months, but he is not an awful player. He is not a £20 million player by any means, the answer lies somewhere in the middle, and Rodgers job will be to coax the best out of him.
At 21-years-old, Henderson has plenty of time to improve and grow into the player Liverpool supporters would dearly love him to be.
Criticism of his game has stemmed around the fact his play has been too slow, with no cutting edge, and few standout features.
Rodgers will need to get him passing and moving, creating space for himself and his teammates.
Henderson’s pass completion statistics last season was 83.9 per cent. Both Leon Britton and Joe Allen at Swansea topped 90 per cent.
This will be one challenge for Henderson on an individual basis next season, indeed 22-year-old Welshman Allen may even become a transfer target for the Reds.
It won’t just be about Henderson improving his own performance, he will be expected to be part of a midfield unit which dominates games and keeps possession.
Opposition teams will not like coming to Anfield and chasing the ball with the home fans on their back. Potentially Rodgers could create a quite intimidating atmosphere with his brand of football and highly challenging place to come.
Henderson’s personal challenge is to prove he can be a part of it. He has talent which needs to be developed and Rodgers might just be the best thing to happen to his career.
Can Rodgers develop Jordan Henderson into an outstanding player Liverpool need?
image: © kong niffe
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