Klopp apologizes to Henderson for playing him as a holding midfielder for so long

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Jurgen Klopp has given an insight into why Jordan Henderson has been playing as a holding midfielder when he feels he can be even better further forward, as per the BBC.

After Henderson played a box-to-box role as the Reds swept aside Porto 2-0 in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final clash last night, Klopp accepted his share of the blame for the midfielder not being able to do so on a more regular basis in recent years.

Klopp said of Henderson’s performance: “Brilliant player. I am really pleased he can show that again. The position… it was my fault he had to play [as a number] six for the past one and a half years. Sorry about that.”

And while Henderson has largely won Liverpool supporters around since his £20m (BBC) move from Sunderland in 2011, he has still not been at his absolute best in that holding role.

Henderson is a naturally energetic player, at his best when he can go and close opponents down but being a holding midfielder for club and country has meant that he has had to add discipline and restraint to his game.

But with Fabinho emerging at club level as Liverpool’s first-choice holding midfielder and Declan Rice a potential England anchor man of the future, Henderson should get chances to bomb on once more and be the all-action midfielder he wants to be.