£16m fee should have no bearing on Kenny’s plans
Jordan Henderson made his much anticipated Liverpool debut at Anfield, in last Saturday’s opening game of the season, and I for one, was more than a little surprised. When I say ‘a little’, it has nothing to do with the young midfielder’s actual ability or current form. No, I believe, and I hope I’m wrong in saying so, that his instant start was all down to his hefty price tag. If this was, and is, going to be the case, then obviously it is the wrong choice for both club and player.
Of course, nobody at Liverpool is ever going to admit it if it is true, but like it or not Henderson’s hefty fee brings with it a pressure that calls for his instant inclusion – even if he isn’t ready just yet. Don’t get me wrong. I am in no way insinuating that Henderson isn’t ready just yet, or that he had a poor game on his debut, or anything else negative regarding the player’s new Liverpool career. It is more of a plea in hope that he is given the time to continue his development at his own pace, and in doing so, turn into the player Kenny Dalglish, and, especially Damien Comolli, hope he can become – without having any added pressure heaped on him, which will come from the media during every appearance in the starting eleven. Whilst the media are never going to be as patient – keen to generate any story into sensationalist headlines, the management and fans should allow his progression to occur naturally rather than have him play him just for the sake of his fee.
Eyebrows were raised when Liverpool forked out the £16-odd million it cost to take Henderson from his hometown club Sunderland, where he had only played two full seasons. But the youngster was seen as one of the rising stars of English football, making his full senior England debut last season and even touted by FIFA as one of thirteen young players to watch in 2011, on their official website back in January. His then manager Steve Bruce, hailed him as ‘the best young British footballer there is’ however, more key to his eventual hefty price was that he was actually English – and we all know the going rate for English players in today’s market; especially young ones – proven or otherwise. Not only were eyebrows raised at the price, for the lack of consistent proven quality on his part, but for the fact that Liverpool had acquired a player who, whilst can play on the right-hand side of midfield, is not a specialised right-winger. Many say he is going to eventually fill the role left by Steven Gerrard once he decides to hang-up his injury prone Predators, in a more central-role, and if this is the case, then Liverpool can afford to groom him into that role when ready and needed. On his debut, Henderson was selected to start – as a right-winger. They may think he was ready, but he certainly wasn’t needed in that position for Saturday.
On Liverpool’s bench were two players who, whilst themselves are not specialised right-wingers, have played for the team in that role, to a high standard – and have vastly more experience than the 21-year old Henderson. Step forward Dirk Kuyt and Raul Meireles. Both were available and ready for action. Both between them, were regular starters last season on the right-hand side of midfield, Meireles himself becoming something of a revelation in the team last year, when roving around the pitch from his right-hand starting position. As for Dirk Kuyt, he had occupied that area for a number of years now, weighing in with a number of important goals. Both are also experienced internationals with Portugal and Holland. The point here is that whilst the other Liverpool debutants on Saturday (Enrique, Adam and Downing) were needed for their specialised positions, Henderson wasn’t. Whilst he may become a world beater, he needs time to grow and acclimatise to the intense pressure playing for a club like Liverpool brings. Maybe the management thought it better for him to make his debut against players he knows extremely well at his former club. If so, I can understand. I just hope it doesn’t set precedence for ‘feeling’ a need to start him, before he is ready.
Liverpool are now in good footballing hands with Kenny Dalglish back in charge. The fans just hope that any non-footballing influences don’t start to take it back out of his hands.
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Henderson is a squad player, not a starter. If kuyt had started I am sure we would have won on sat. Overpriced aswell but Kenny most prob sees the long term benefit. YNWA
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No, it shouldn’t. It’s not JHs fault that, KK paid 10mn extra, at the expense of our new owners liberty. A mid table player, can be a super star in championship, but never ‘ll made it among the big boys, just like CAdam, unfortunately at double cost.
KK ‘ll leave after 3 years, I wonder what the new managers ‘ll do do with these high priced mediocre English players? 16mn, 35mn & 20mn, holly shit, we could have landed Mata, Shakho, Mario Gomez & Affaley with that amount.
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Ged Reply:
August 17th, 2011 at 8:22 pm
KK will leave in 3 years? – Yeah of course, such a statement shows you’re about 10 or not a Lpool fan. KK IS Lpool every bit as much as Shankly
and the rest of your post is tripe as well
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My God, a sense of perspective please. A new team, a player that needs to be bedded in and it makes sense in a home game. Not the first Lpool player who fails on a few occasions to track a runner of cover his fullback (think the illustrious Steven Gerrard), and for poor Flanno his age and inexperience is being used unfairly against him – Glen Johnson is well guilty of those lapses.
If the ref had not let a red card go or disallowed a good goal then we’d have won. Sh1t happens, first game, new team, stop being a drama queen
Long live the King
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The King is building a dynasty at Liverpool once again and the young pretenders ought to be introduced gradually into the starting line-up irrespective of price tag associated with the player, I feel the King played Henderson purely on the grounds that he would be playing against his former club and this situation would normally bring the best out of an individual,in this instance it appears to have back-fired some what, but the king knows that Henderson is one for the future, with this in mind I wish that instead of trying to sign Cahill from Bolton for upward of £18 Million pounds, he would be better served in trying to prise David Wheater from Owen Coyles team, Wheater is the forgotten centre half from Middlesborough`s illustrious youth team of yesteryear, whose team mates included none other than Stewart Downing and Adam Johnson, Wheater is a fine no nonsense centre back muchin the same mould as Cahill except the price tag that comes would be in the region of £7 Million, come on King Kenny if its a dynasty you wish to build then start some astute spending on the less glamourous, but just as important type of players that come in the mould of Carragher and Lawrenson. long live the King —- by The red psychic
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Kuyt would have been better against Sunderland.
But if Henderson was in and Kuyt was coming on Dalglish should have taken Flanagan out and let Henderson cover right side with Kuyt ahead of him.
It’s a home game and Liverpool should be able to take one defender out to attack more. Especialy the way Flanagan played it would done good for defence not to have him making mistakes.
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It concerns me that we have almost lost all the technically gifted players that Rafa signed. We’ve replaced them with direct kick-and-run British players. Kenny’s motivational skills means that this might work in the premiership, but quality foreign teams will run rings round us ….same is true for Man Utd though (see 2011 CL final).
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i am a core liverpool fan who remain optimistic about liverpool making it to top four and winning the league,but we have to do thing the right way,we can`t afford to let the opportunity slips off our hands all in the name of playing our overpriced English players,why can`t we get down to business from the beginning so we don`t blame ourselves towards the end of the season as we did last season,its obvious some players are not ready to fit in into the team,they don`t have the quality,though they are potential future players but not to be played ahead the likes of Raul Meireles who is tested and trusted against great teams,Hendo is a burden to the team,whenever he holds onto ball he gives me headache because he will definitely loses the possession and Carrol is not fit at all,he lacks the quality of a real Liverpool standing 9,we need another quality striker in the mould of Torres to play along with Suarez the greatest of all upfront,and don`t blame Flana he is a great lad who can be relied upon in the nearest future he needs to be encouraged,Enrique and Downing are great signings but Downing should be used from the left flank not right,we have Glen Johnson who can as well play from the right flank he is gifted in term of speed,skill and experience even though he is not that fantastic from right full back,we don`t want mediocre s in our team,King Kenny is a great Manager we love you,but please don`t allow sentiment to robb us of our dignity as one of the greatest team in Europe,if can agree with me Suarez is a 1-2 playing type that needs fast and sharp striker as partner not one that will slow down his ability and pace,long live Liverpool fans long live LFC. YWNWAL.
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