Friday 10 June 2011

Why Jordan Henderson's Transfer Makes Sense

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Following his move to Liverpool, the photo of a young Wearsider sitting on the shoulders of Ryan Giggs during a family holiday may need to be hidden from view in the Henderson household. In light of recent media headlines, Jordan Henderson’s suggestion that he has styled his off-field persona on the Manchester United winger may also need to be reconsidered.

However, the manner in which Henderson conducts himself appears far more impressive than his choice of role model.

In the interviews after the 20-year -old had put pen to paper on a long-term deal, both Damien Comolli and Kenny Dalglish emphasised the personal attributes that stand Henderson in good stead for the future. Although the transfer demands of some fans would have you believe that moves are simple process based purely on money, research into a target’s personality is important. Whoever Dalglish and Comolli spoke to when analysing Henderson, they would have received a glowing account.

In his own words, Henderson is “a bit boring”. He does not smoke, embrace the footballer’s love of expensive luxuries and on the rare occasions that he goes out with friends, he has a fruit juice. The England Under 21 international is something of a manager’s dream.

Although Henderson’s price tag has been questioned by some, Liverpool have acquired a player who will do everything in his capability to repay Dalglish’s faith. Darren Bent has provided evidence of his former team-mate’s attitude towards improvement. The England striker said of Henderson, “When someone tells him he can't do something or that he's not good enough, it's straight on to the training ground to prove them wrong”.

It is this behaviour that partly justifies Liverpool’s financial outlay. Henderson already has a reasonable level of Premier League experience under his belt, but arrives at Anfield at an age where he is still developing as a player. When combining a desire to learn with the opportunity to learn from one of the finest central midfielders of the Premier League era, Liverpool will be a good home for Henderson. He will be the first to admit that he suffered a loss of form midway through last season, but Liverpool have spent heavily on a great deal of potential. As Dalglish said in regard to Andy Carroll, this is a signing for the long-term.

If critics are keen to burden Henderson with the weight of a price-tag, he will not be the last young British player to move clubs for an inflated fee. British players have been transferred for larger fees than the European equivalent for several years and the homegrown regulations will do nothing but exacerbate the issue. The best young players are becoming increasingly vital targets for top Premier League clubs as they have the ability to satisfy a part of the quota for a long period of time. Henderson has the ability to thrive in Liverpool’s midfield for more than a decade. Anybody who believes that this sort of signing can be cheap will be proved wrong over the coming years.

Although I have focussed heavily on Jordan Henderson the person, I believe that Liverpool have also signed a potentially excellent footballer.

Henderson first came to my attention in Sunderland’s 2-2 draw at Old Trafford in October 2009. The youngster came off the bench with ‘The Mackems’ a goal to the good. Although his side were very unfortunate to only leave Manchester with one point, there was something about Henderson that caught the eye. He was comfortable on the ball, showed an ability to beat his man and his positional awareness was impressive. This was far from a headline-stealing contribution, but it was enough to convince me to that he was one to watch.

Henderson’s reputation flourished and his performance in the 3-0 victory at Stamford Bridge in November 2010 was worthy of the plaudits it received. A tough England debut followed against France, but his potential was recognised as he was listed by FIFA as a player to watch out for in 2011.

A dip in the second half of last season has been well documented since Henderson’s move, but it must be remembered that this coincided with a severe injury crisis in Steve Bruce’s squad. He was forced to play a large number of games for a youngster and played in a team that lacked a natural striker for parts of the year.

However, there were still enough moments to remind us of Henderson’s talent. Although there was a return to goalscoring form at the end of the season, my strongest memory from last season was Henderson’s role in Asamoah Gyan’s goal at Wigan. The move highlighted several elements in the Henderson skillset. He started the move, showed intelligent movement to find space, perplexed his marker with a trick on the touchline and displayed the end product missing from so many young prospects by floating a perfect cross into the Ghanaian striker’s path. If Henderson can reproduce this consistently, Liverpool have a good player on their hands.

It is difficult to know how the versatile Henderson will fit into the Liverpool team during his first season at the club. The strong suggestion is that Daglish is likely to move for Charlie Adam once more and Raul Meireles, Steven Gerrard, Lucas, Jay Spearing and Jonjo Shelvey will join Henderson in preferring a central role. It would not be surprising to see Shelvey move on loan to another Premier League side, such as the moves that have benefitted Jack Wilshere, Tom Cleverley and Daniel Sturridge in recent seasons.

Dalglish looks set to have strength in depth in the midfield and it is feasible that either Steven Gerrard or Henderson could play from the right. Raul Meireles has thrived in the free role ahead of the midfield and both England internationals can provide high quality delivery from wide, benefitting Andy Carroll. Former Sunderland player Michael Gray is one of a number of pundits to suggest that Henderson’s best position could well be on the flank.

Whatever system Dalglish chooses next season, Henderson will benefit from the quality of player that he will play with. Specifically, the movement of Luis Suarez should suit Henderson perfectly. One of his greatest strength is his passing ability, especially into the channels. With Suarez always keen to pull out to the left wing and others finding space around the box, the quick passing game that Dalglish is keen to implement could bring the best out of Henderson.

It is ridiculous to judge a player on his price tag before he has played a game and Henderson must be judged in the long-term. However, I firmly believe that Liverpool have signed a very good player. Henderson is very good technically, energetic, focussed and dedicated. He possesses all the qualities that Dalglish and Comolli are looking for in their young signings.

By the end of the summer, Henderson will probably not be the name that every Liverpool fan is talking about. However, it is one that they could be talking about for a very long time.

Liverpool FC Player of the Season - The Contenders

This has been a season like no other at Liverpool Football Club. From despair both on and off the field, a revival under the guidance of FSG and Kenny Dalglish has brought about a sense of optimism scarcely believed possible in November.

Since taking over as manager, Kenny Dalglish has been consistently quick to divert all the credit bestowed upon the club from himself to the players. Whilst the manager's humility will fail to convince many that it is merely the enthusiasm amongst the squad that has turned the season around, we are approaching the time of year where one player is acknowledged for their significant contribution over the past nine months. Although Dalglish would undoubtedly emphasise a group effort, certain names are candidates for the Player of the Season award.



Pepe Reina

From a season in which Reina's defence was conspicuous by its absence before the turn of the year, the Spaniard once more emerges with great credit.

Despite an error against Arsenal denying Roy Hodgson's ten men a win on the opening day of the season, the overwhelming feeling during the ex-Fulham manager's tenure was that it could have been much worse had a lesser man been protecting the Liverpool goal.

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The away fixture against Birmingham stands out as a candidate for individual performance of the season. A negative performance on the road saw a point salvaged thanks to the magnificence of Liverpool's goalkeeper as those in front of him failed to retain possession or provide any protection at set-pieces.

Although Reina became increasingly disillusioned during Hodgson's reign, notably at the coaching methods implemented, his performances remained impressive.

Reina's quick distribution has been an asset in the Liverpool armoury throughout the Barcelona youth product's time at the club. Although briefly eradicated under Hodgson, the willingness of Luis Suarez and Dirk Kuyt to provide an outlet whenever Reina gathers the ball has seen the swiftest of counter-attacks return under Dalglish, providing goals against Birmingham and Newcastle in recent weeks at Anfield.

For long parts of this season, the belief that this would be Reina's last on Merseyside continued to grow. News that the stopper has had a change of heart as the team have returned to form under Dalglish will be welcomed by all. The most important signing for next season has already been made.

Dirk Kuyt

Liverpool's Dutch international has been symbolic of the club's fortunes this season. A disappointing first half of the season has been forgotten following an impressive conclusion, embodying the drive and determination that has served Dalglish's Liverpool so well.

Under Hodgson, Kuyt was a peripheral figure at most. The outstanding effort that we know him for was never missing, but his touch deserted him woefully as he was shifted around the team. Whether playing on the right or centrally, Kuyt struggled to form any cohesive partnership with the misfiring Fernando Torres or the erratic Davod N'Gog. When combined with an injury sustained on international duty, Hodgson would be entitled to believe that he never had the real Dirk Kuyt at his disposal.

As dissenting mutterings about Kuyt's suitability for a successful Liverpool grew amongst supporters, the Dutchman returned to his best.

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He has thrived in Dalglish's version of the 4-2-3-1 formation, in which he has the freedom to push forward to support the frontman. This was exhibited to devastating effect in the 3-0 home victory over Manchester City. Working either side of Andy Carroll, Suarez and Kuyt were difficult to pick up and caused mayhem in the City defence. If this is to be the way forward for Liverpool next season, it is a system that can certainly work.

However, Kuyt's stand out performance came on a day in which he was deployed centrally. Kuyt's appetite for a goal in the big games has been a trademark of his Liverpool career, but his hattrick against Manchester United was a masterclass in being in the right place at the right time.

Kuyt remains a versatile player with an infectious attitude towards hard graft, but he has been a key component in Dalglish's revival. He is undeniably a candidate for the Player of the Season award but a weak end to 2010 may count against him. However, if he continue his 2011 form next season, he will be a vital asset to the club.

Luis Suarez


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I am not a fan of awarding a player who has only taken part in half of the season this award, but considering this could cynically be said about many Liverpool players, Luiz Suarez is deserving of recognition for his stunning impact since arriving at the club.

Liverpool have been desperate for a number seven with a feverish attitude towards the game, matched by a significant amount of skill. In the Uruguayan international, the fans may have found what they have been craving for so long.

I remember the reaction on the Kop in Suarez's début against Stoke. Having come off the bench, his first involvement was to be booted into the air by Andy Wilkinson. “Welcome to England, lad” was the chortle from those around me. Moments later Suarez received the ball in a similar situation, but rather than experiencing another aerial view of the city, the new signing backed into his man, before spinning to show him a clean pair of heels. The fan to my right looked at me and said simply, “he's going to be alright”. He has been.

Suarez combines scintillating individual skill with the pace that has been horribly absent from much of Liverpool's play this season. Although he sometimes has a rush of blood to the head in the box when others are in better positions, Suarez's impact has been huge.

Audacious, aggressive, unpredictable but thus far, brilliant. I am not advocating Suarez winning the award. I am merely suggesting that his name will grace the trophy at some point in the years to come.

Lucas Leiva

I have never made a secret of the fact that I am a massive fan of Lucas. It started in slightly derogatory terms. Put simply, I liked him because he wasn't very good and I felt sorry for him. Like the runt in the litter, there was an endearing quality about the young Brazilian. At the time I never thought in my wildest dreams that his name would feature in this list. Lucas, I'm sorry I ever doubted you.

Lucas was one of the few players to enhance his reputation under Hodgson, topping the passing percentage, tackling and interception statistics almost every week. Through sheer endeavour and tenacity, Lucas has played his way into the affections of Liverpool fans.

Lucas is another name to gain a reputation as a big game player, having seen them pass him by in previous years. In both victories against Chelsea and the wins against Manchester United and Manchester City at Anfield, the Brazilian was a key destructive influence. Key characteristics of Lucas' game have improved immeasurably and for the first time in his Liverpool career, he is receiving the credit he deserves from the majority of the fanbase.

The former scapegoat is currently winning the poll on the official website and a victory would be somewhat symbolic. If the majority of fans had their way, Lucas would have left Liverpool a long time ago. If certain individuals at the helm of the club had their way, this would have been a very real possibility. However, this is a transfer that Rafa Benitez got right. If the midfielder receives the award at the final home game of the season humble pie will be the main course in many Merseyside households.

Lucas has come on strongly in the face of adversity and the winning of this award would draw a line under what is now merely the myth that he is not good enough.

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There is no denying that this award means more at the end of a successful season. However, the momentum gained should serve Liverpool well at the start of next season, whoever may come into the club over the summer.

I am only one voice out of the many who will vote for this award. However, my vote went to Lucas Leiva. If one man symbolises the attitude a player at Liverpool should have, he could well be it. In accordance with the anthem that lifts Anfield each week, Lucas stayed positive during the hard times and with no lack of hard work, has emerged a better player. If Lucas picks up the trophy at the end of the story, he will have come out of the storm to find a golden sky.