Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson has taken on more responsibility since becoming vice-captain this season but may have to accept even more in the coming weeks.
With captain Steven Gerrard likely to be sidelined for up to three weeks with a hamstring problem and Lucas Leiva out for twice that period with a thigh injury, central midfield is starting to look a little light.
Henderson and Joe Allen are likely to start in the middle for the FA Cup fifth-round game at Crystal Palace. It is debatable whether Gerrard would have started against Palace anyway but, in his absence, Henderson finds himself having to up his game even more.
“To lose Lucas first was a big blow because he has been outstanding for us since he came into the team as that defensive, holding midfielder,” said Henderson. “Obviously Stevie (Gerrard) is a big loss, even though it is not as long (as Lucas), but there are some big games coming up that he might not be involved in.
“But it is another chance for people to come in and show what they are made of and slot straight into the team. Hopefully someone can do that.
“Maybe I need to take more responsibility with those two players gone.”
There is also the option of moving Emre Can forward from defence, where he has excelled in a back three. The Germany Under-21 international was signed from Bayer Leverkusen with the intention of using him in midfield but circumstances dictated he was needed further back and he has not put a foot wrong so Brendan Rodgers may be reluctant to tinker with that.
“Emre has been outstanding since he came into the team,” added Henderson, speaking at the announcement of NIVEA MEN becoming the club’s official male grooming partner.
“I really think that position has suited him at the right side of the three at centre-half.
“He has been outstanding there, especially defensively as a midfielder dropping back, and in driving with the ball he shows his strength and power going forward.”
While Henderson is looking at doing even more in that central area to compensate for injuries at least he has the benefit of being comfortable in his role, having been used in his favoured position more times this season having previously been accommodated on the right and, occasionally, on the left.
“Wherever I play I always try to improve, whether that is out wide or through the middle,” he added. “I always give 100 per cent and I know each role I play really well so it doesn’t really matter what position I’m in.
“Of course being in the middle I am more comfortable and I am enjoying it there.”
He is also enjoying Liverpool’s current run in which they have lost only once – to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the second leg of the Capital One Cup semi-final – in 15 matches.
Last season Liverpool won 10 of their final 12 games, losing just once, as they fell agonisingly short of winning the title. Henderson is starting to get a similar feeling to the one he experienced 12 months ago, buoyed by the return to fitness of Daniel Sturridge and the positivity of recent performances.
“We have really knuckled down, worked hard on the training field, and grown in confidence,” he said.
“The longer you play together as team throughout the season the more confidence you build with each other and the more relationships you build.
“I think that has been important. I think it is really paying off at the minute, we are getting the results we need to.
“The aim is to keep going and keep building momentum and when you do that the confidence goes sky high – as we found out last year when we were going into every game knowing we were going to win.
“I can start sensing that sort of coming again with the performances we have been putting in, it has been fantastic for us as a team.
“You never know, we could go on another big run.”
Off the field the club are trying to tie Henderson down to a new contract, with his current deal having less than 18 months to run, but it is not something he is getting involved in. “Not really, no. I just want to concentrate on playing football and the other side of it I’ll let my agent deal with,” he said.
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petikan dari Liverpool FC, This is Anfield, Teamtalk
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