Henderson has taken up a deeper role in Liverpool’s three opening Premier League games so far.
Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp and Jordan Henderson before the match
Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson has been playing in a new role this season under Jurgen Klopp and feels he has learned a lot in a short space of time, he told the Liverpool Echo.
Henderson has been used in a deeper role, which many have suggested is more of a holding midfield role rather than being used further forward like in previous seasons having spent a lot of time on the training ground with Klopp and the assistant manager Zeljko Buvac.
Henderson said: “I have played as the No 6 or the deep-lying midfielder and I feel as time has gone on I have learned quickly and obviously the manager helps me on the training field.
Tottenham’s Dele Alli in action with Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino and Jordan Henderson
“I feel I have progressed in that position and I feel comfortable there. It is not too dissimilar to what I did.
“Being the No 6 is more disciplined. When the team is going forward I am thinking more about protection and how I can help and what I need to do rather than running forward and getting in the box all the time. When you are more advanced. you are more free to run off in behind and get further up the pitch.”
Henderson says he also feels he can do a job further forward. From afar, with Emre Can absent from the starting XI it looks as if Henderson is filling in for the German but the chances are that it could be a permanent role for the Reds’ skipper, with Can possibly sitting alongside him when fit – and one of them then given licence to go forward.
Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson in action with Burnley’s Johann Berg Gudmundsson
It has had mixed results so far this season. One would say that Henderson looked a little lost in the role against Burnley though bounced back the following week against Tottenham in a very challenging game – but has required help from his teammates when defending.
On the ball, however, he seems to be the man trying to start moves off from deeper positions as Liverpool try and dictate the play.
It will be interesting to see if this is a role that Henderson is kept in throughout the season. Klopp has prided himself on trying to improve players on the training ground, and he clearly sees this as a role that could put Henderson to good use. Whether this particular experiment is successful or not remains to be seen.
Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson celebrates after the match
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