Mark Lawrenson has singled out Pablo Hernandez as the one to watch in Leeds United’s Premier League return at Liverpool on Saturday.
After 16 years out of the top flight, the Whites are back and their first stop is an ominous one.
Liverpool cruised to the Premier League title last season by winning 99 points and although Leeds were similarly dominant in the Championship, common sense suggests there’s a gulf in class between both sides at the moment.
Hernandez was a huge player for United toward the end of last season, scoring some last-minute winners which helped to secure their return to the big time.
At 35, the Spaniard, who has played at this level for Swansea City in the past, might not be what he once was, but class is permanent and Lawrenson has admitted that he’s a fan of Hernandez.
He told BBC Sport: “I like the look of Leeds’ new striker Rodrigo and keep an eye out for Pablo Hernandez in midfield, who you might remember from his time with Swansea in the Premier League a few years back.
“He is 35 now and doesn’t start many games, but what a player he is when he comes off the bench – he has got fantastic vision and sees things no-one else in that team sees.”
Hernandez will gradually become a tad slower in terms of pace, but the aging process will do nothing to that big football brain of his and it’s fascinating to see if he can still be a threat at the highest level.
One thing is for sure: Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp isn’t going to be taking him lightly, and Hernandez, if he starts, can expect a difficult time against the likes of Fabinho on Merseyside this weekend.
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