Phil Thompson has told Off the Ball that he would select Jordan Henderson at centre-back for Liverpool today even though ‘that’s not right’.
Liverpool will welcome the Premier League leaders Manchester United to Anfield, as their rivals will be licking their lips at the prospect of coming up against a makeshift and previously leaky defence.
It remains to be seen whether Joel Matip will be fit, but if he isn’t then it raises problems for Jurgen Klopp.
Liverpool conceding to Aston Villa’s kids in the FA Cup last time out didn’t help, as Thompson shared why he would select Henderson at the back against Manchester United today.
“I would have to go, at this moment in time, because of the game that it is with Henderson,” said Thompson.
“I know that’s not right and it will be called a sort of masterstroke if it comes off and Liverpool win.
“But it does take that energy and that high press. Nobody does it better than Henderson in that position.”
Henderson has transformed into some player since his £20 million move [BBC Sport] to Merseyside many moons ago.
The issue won’t lie with the fact that he can’t do the job at the back, it’s the fact that Liverpool would then lose his qualities in the middle of the pitch.
Fabinho is the obvious one who will start today, if Matip is fit then that’s one less migraine tablet Klopp needs to take, but if he’s not then it’s between Henderson, Rhys William and Nat Phillips.
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