The Kopite View

Henderson Silencing His Critics

Jordan Henderson is a player that has had more than his fair share of critics since joining Liverpool from Sunderland, and since taking the captain’s arm band from the legendary Steven Gerrard, his performances in a red shirt have been scrutinised even more.

But the former Sunderland player is made of strong stuff and he has constantly answered his critics in the best possible way, by producing superb performances on the park.

Henderson was superb in that wonderful season that almost took the Reds to their first Premier League title, and many people felt that the midfielder’s absence in the loss to Chelsea, cost Liverpool the title.

Henderson was the supporters’ favourite to take over from Gerrard as Liverpool’s captain, but after a difficult season last season, the critics voiced their opinions once again.

Injuries prevented Henderson from producing his normal level of performances, but despite not being fit he wanted to play.

The critics were sniping again at the start of this season but Henderson has silenced them once again by producing some outstanding performances.

His winning goal against Chelsea just highlighted a superb performance that proved that Henderson is fit again and back to his best.

Henderson will always unfortunately be compared to Gerrard because he is captain, and that is unfair because there will never be another, but Liverpool’s current captain is a tremendous player in his own right and it is great to see him back to his best.

                                          Liverpool Learning From Mistakes

Liverpool’s impressive start to the season is all the more remarkable because of the tough fixtures they’ve had, away fixtures at Arsenal, Spurs, Burnley and Chelsea tested Jurgen Klopp’s men, and a solitary home fixture against last season’s Premier League champions Leicester City wasn’t easy either.

But a record of 10 points from a possible 15 is a very good return from the tough run of fixtures to start the season.

Noticeably Liverpool are showing signs of improvement highlighted in the excellent performance and 2-1 win over Chelsea last Friday night.

The Reds hit Chelsea hard in the first half with an energy and tempo that left the home side struggling for a foothold in the match, and in the second half Klopp’s men managed the game superbly by hardly giving Conte’s team a chance to turn the game around despite pulling a goal back with half an hour left.

Liverpool’s 4-3 win over Arsenal was a rollercoaster of a game and the result could’ve went either way, and last week’s 4-1 win over Leicester City wasn’t as comfortable as the scoreline suggests, with the champions missing a host of chances.

But although the win over Chelsea was only won by a one goal margin, I felt Liverpool won the game more comfortably than the score suggests because of the way they managed the game.

Liverpool always remained a threat going forward despite leading, but they remained disciplined and didn’t throw players forward in a cavalier-style when attacking.

Klopp’s team kept good possession in the second half and they never looked like conceding an equaliser with Matip and Lovren in commanding form in defence.

It just looks like Liverpool are learning from some of their end-to-end games from earlier season, and although they remain a real threat going forward, they look more solid defensively and better equipped to hold on to a lead.

Reds Can Kick-Start Season With Win Over Champs

With a win, a draw and one defeat recorded in Liverpool’s first three games of the season, a win over Premier League champions Leicester City on Saturday would be the perfect way to ignite their season.

It seems weeks ago since Liverpool’s 1-1 draw away at Spurs, with the annoyance of the international break putting the Premier League on hold.

But Saturday’s visit of Leicester will bring a welcome return to Liverpool’s Premier League campaign with the added excitement of the opening of Anfield’s new main stand, giving the stadium a capacity of over 54,000.

I think the extra support will carry the Reds to victory on Saturday despite Klopp ruling out Klavan and Can for the fixture through injury.

It will be a welcome return to Anfield after a tough start to the season with three away games in the league and they will be aiming to make their home a fortress as a base for a successful season.

Leicester will provide tough opposition for the Reds after their morale boosting 2-1 win over Swansea City last time out.

It will be interesting to see if Jurgen Klopp selects Daniel Sturridge to start after leaving him frustrated on the bench against Spurs.

Personally I think Klopp will start the England striker because he knows that he will be desperate to show what he can do.

Liverpool against Leicester really does look a tasty fixture, and I think the Reds will shade it 2-1 with Sturridge scoring both goals.

                          Is Klopp’s First Summer Transfer Window A Success ?

So the transfer window has finally shut and now managers must get on with working with the players they have.

Concerning Liverpool’s summer business, there have been far more players leaving than arriving-

INS

Sadio Mane (Southampton)

Loris Karius (Mainz)

Joel Matip (Schalke)

Ragner Klavan (Augsburg)

Alex Manninger (Free transfer)

OUTS

Jose Enrique (Free transfer)

Kolo Toure (Free transfer)

Samed Yesil (Free transfer)

Jordan Rossiter (Rangers)

Joao Carlos Teixeira (Porto)

Jerome Sinclair (Watford)

Sergi Canos (Norwich City)

Martin Skrtel (Fenerbahce)

Jordon Ibe (Bournemouth)

Joe Allen (Stoke City)

Brad Smith (Bournemouth)

Christian Benteke (Crystal Palace)

Luis Alberto (Lazio)

Mario Balotelli (Nice)

ON LOAN

Jon Flanagan (Burnley)

Adam Bogdan (Wigan Athletic)

Danny Ward (Huddersfield Town)

Andre Wisdom (Red Bull Salzburg)

Lazar Markovic (Sporting Lisbon)

With all of Liverpool’s rivals spending big money to strengthen, Klopp has recouped more money from selling than buying.

Many people thought Klopp would spend a lot of money and bring in many new players to take Liverpool to the next level, but the German has decided to only bring in a few and has been more intent in scaling down his squad.

The left back and defensive midfield positions are two key areas where Liverpool supporters thought Klopp would address, but he seems to be happy with his current options.

It remains to be seen if Klopp has a strong enough squad to compete for honours this season after moving so many squad players on to pastures new.

I believe that Klopp has an abundance of options for midfield and attack and Karius will give Mignolet competition for the goalkeeping spot.

But I worry about Liverpool’s defensive options, Moreno is not good enough and looks like he doesn’t have the brains to mature into good left-back, so it looks like Milner will be Klopp’s first choice left-back and that is a major transition for the former Manchester City player, Joe Gomez is another option but after a serious injury it remains to be seen if he can return good enough to provide cover at left-back or for the centre of defence.

I’m also worried if something happens to Clyne because I don’t feel we have adequate cover in Connor Randall.

With Matip and Lovren looking like Klopp’s preferred choice in the centre of defence, will Klavan, Joe Gomez and possibly Lucas provide the necessary alternatives with Sakho seemingly out of favour with the Liverpool manager.

Time will tell if Klopp’s squad is strong enough, but he is a man that supporters can have faith in.