Jordan Henderson shows why he’s the one player Liverpool can’t afford to lose

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A lot has been made over Virgil van Dijk’s injury in Liverpool’s draw with Everton but some statistics from the game have highlighted why Jordan Henderson is the most important player in Jurgen Klopp’s ranks.

The Dutchman is clearly going to be sorely missed but the Reds will now have to show that their title last season wasn’t built on the performances of a single player.

As one door swings closed, another opens and for someone in Klopp’s ranks that will be the case as he scours for a replacement for his talismanic defensive enforcer.

All is not lost though and on another day Liverpool would have still beaten Everton without Van Dijk. He hobbled off early doors and but for a controversial VAR decision, the Reds would have been victorious.

A decent derby-day performance was based largely on the performance of Henderson who stole the show with a typically professional display.

Some statistics on BBC Sport highlight just how vital the £140,000-a-week midfielder was at the weekend.

He made no fewer than nine ball recoveries, created two goalscoring chances for his team and attempted 64 passes – the second most of any player on the pitch in the Merseyside-derby.

Some believe Henderson is too safe, with his passing only typically sideways and backwards but he played the box-to-box role with aplomb against Everton.

Some of his cross-field passing to Mane and Salah really was a joy to behold and Liverpool are lucky to have Henderson.

The injury to Van Dijk is a blow but it’s not the end of the world. If the Reds can rely on their influential leader more often than not this season, they could still claim another Premier League title come May.