Just how poor were Liverpool in February?

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Liverpool’s dismal league form continued into February, beginning with an away defeat to league leaders Leicester City, and then letting slip a two-goal lead to draw at home to strugglers Sunderland. The Reds got their only league win of the month in the 6-0 mauling at bottom of the table Aston Villa.

The Reds’ cup form also took a beating in February, as a young side was knocked out of the FA Cup after conceding in the last minute of injury time at West Ham United. Jurgen Klopp then saw his side limp into the next round of the Europa League, only overcoming FC Augsburg with an early James Milner penalty in the second leg at Anfield. Worse was to come at the end of the month, as Klopp’s troops lost on penalties to Manchester City in the Capital One Cup final.

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Player of the Month: Kolo Touré (average rating: 7.25)

Despite another disappointing month, one stand-out player was the veteran defender. With injuries to Martin Skrtel and Dejan Lovren, Touré stepped up and steadied the ship when needed. He was decent in the league against Sunderland, after coming on for the fallen Lovren.

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Touré then produced two consecutive solid displays away at Villa and Germany, helping his side keep clean-sheets in both games. After yet another early defensive injury, this time for Mamadou Sakho, Toure came on and did very well against Sergio Aguero and co. in the Wembley final. Though he couldn’t stop his brother from scoring the penalty and lifting the trophy, Kolo gave another composed performance that topped off a wonderful month for the Ivorian, with most undecided on whether to keep the Kop favourite past the summer.

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Flop of the Month: Jordan Henderson (5.6)

The return of the skipper in January was greeted with optimism, however Henderson’s form since then has deteriorated. Failing to impose himself in the disappointing results against Leicester and Sunderland, Henderson gave his only decent performance at a desperately poor Villa side.

Against a seemingly limited side like Augsburg, Klopp and Reds fans would have thought Henderson could shine and take the game by the scruff of the neck. Instead, his midfield partner; Emre Can, seemed to take more control in midfield compared to the supposed successor to Steven Gerrard. Henderson’s lack of creativity in the shoot-out defeat to City was made worse by the fact that he did not lead by example – like Gerrard would have done – and take a penalty in the contest from 12 yards out.

Even as skipper, Henderson’s place must be under threat, with the likes of Joe Allen and Adam Lallana waiting on the wings.