JURGEN KLOPP CONVINCED Jordan Henderson not to return early after his World Cup exploits as the midfielder looks set to sit out Liverpool’s opening game of the 2018-19 Premier League season.
Henderson was an integral part of England’s team in Russia, helping Gareth Southgate’s side reach the semi-finals of the tournament despite being troubled by a hamstring problem in the knockout rounds.
Despite his desire to go back to work ahead of schedule, a plan Liverpool’s manager dismissed, the 28-year-old will have a three-week break to recover, meaning he is not due to report for duty until 5 August.
Club colleague Dejan Lovren will return the following day after playing in the World Cup final for Croatia, meaning the duo are unlikely to be involved against West Ham at Anfield on 12 August.
“It was a hard fight to convince him [Henderson] that he needed a holiday,” said Klopp. “I knew it would happen. On the phone, I said ‘crazy’.
“Jordan needs a holiday, so that means 5 August he will be back. Dejan had a party in Croatia and played a day later [than Henderson], so he will be back on 6 August.
“That would mean five days’ training, after three weeks’ holiday.
“I hope we are in a situation where we don’t need to think about using these two [against West Ham].”
However, Trent Alexander-Arnold could be available, with Klopp having a “special agreement” with the full-back.
The teenager appeared just once for England at the World Cup and, considering his age, the Liverpool boss will consider letting him come back earlier than originally planned.
“With Trent I have a special agreement,” Klopp added. “He wanted to be in earlier as well. As he’s very young, I said ‘Okay, have two weeks’ holiday and then we’ll speak and see’.
“If you asked Trent he would be good to join us in two weeks. But I’m not sure I will do that. I want to have them desperately but the season is really long.”
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Klopp should book him a 12 month cruise. “But boss, I’ll miss every game?” “I know! Here, I packed your bags.”.
@Alan J. McKenna: I’m half with you. I think in an ideal world someone of Henderson’s technical ability would not start for us. However, I think the best place for a team captain is in midfield and as limited as a player he is, he is incredibly hard working, selfless and a very good leader. He won me over in this regard against Roma last year when they got off to a flying start at Anfield. He made a crunching tackle after an Andy Robertson miss pass and turned around and ate the head off him before turning to the rest of the team and barking at them to up their game. We crushed them from that minute on. Milner is a better player but not as vocal. So while I’d like someone better, I think he’s often unfairly dismissed out of hand without consideration for his leadership ability.
To be fair he will need to be fresh if he is going to push to keep his place..only 3 midfield positions up for grabs with alot of competition..fabinho, keita, wijnaldum, milner, chamberlain.
Klopp obviously wants to see his other options , is this the beginning of the end of Henderson
So if they get a great start will he come straight back in to mid field …. I think not ?