Jordan Henderson could now be bombed out of Liverpool after source’s reveal – pundit
Noel Whelan has insisted Liverpool need to replace Jordan Henderson with a younger midfielder who can “run at pace with the ball”.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed having two “older statesman” in midfield is causing a “big problem” for Jurgen Klopp’s side.
Henderson, 32, and Thiago Alcantara, 31, both started in a two-man midfield as Liverpool slipped to a 3-2 defeat away at league leaders Arsenal on Sunday (9 October).
Klopp switched to a 4-2-3-1 formation against the Gunners in an attempt to arrest the slide which has seen them win just twice in the Premier League this season.
Football Insider revealed via Liverpool sources on Saturday (8 October) that the Merseysiders retain a strong interest in West Ham star Declan Rice, 23, as well as remaining hopeful of a move for Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham, 19.
Whelan suggested Thiago is more likely to remain in the Reds side due to his superior “passing ability”.
He told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “It was just a case of Arsenal having younger, fresher legs in midfield.
“That pace and that directness just cut through Liverpool at times. It’s a very young midfield, and we’re talking about two players who are coming to the back end of their Liverpool careers.
“They need more energy. Don’t get me wrong, Henderson has been fantastic since coming to Liverpool – silencing the doubters since he came in for big money.
“But Thiago is the more important player. He has more passing ability.
“If he had a younger player next to him, you’d see a big difference. That’s the big problem for Liverpool, they’ve got two older statesmen in there.
“They aren’t really players who can run at pace with the ball. There’s no one who can drive with the ball, much like an Odegaard.”
In other news, pundit warns Liverpool against taking “big risk” after Ibrahima Konate development.