During the past two games, Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson has been playing as a more advanced midfielder.
Against the Saints, the England international came in the second half to play in that very same role and his introduction completely changed the dynamics of the match.
And against Porto too, Jordan Henderson excelled in his more advanced role, prompting Jurgen Klopp to apologise for nothing giving him that position earlier.
“It would be cool if I could ask a player to please play these kinds of passes, and we score immediately!” Klopp said.
“Hendo’s a brilliant player, I’m really happy that he can show that again. He likes the position obviously.
“It was my fault that for one-and-a-half years he played as a number six. Sorry for that!
“But we needed him there. It was a really good performance.”
And now speaking with Liverpool’s official website Jordan Henderson has revealed the real reason why he is getting to play in a more advanced role during the past couple of games.
“Me and the gaffer just had a conversation,” Jordan Henderson said.
“Obviously he saw the England games. I felt good playing in that position. I felt more natural and it was something he said he would think about.
“I can do both positions and he sees I can do both. It’s basically what he wants and needs. I felt more comfortable and natural in that position for England, creating chances further up and doing what I enjoy doing. At the same time when I played No.6, I felt I’ve learned that position really well.
“I don’t think the manager had thought about it too much until I mentioned it to him… the manager might not have seen me in that position too much.
“It’s all about putting the team first, I know that, but at the same time, I want to contribute as much as I can. I feel as though I can do that more in a position further forward.
“In the last couple of years there hasn’t really been a player like Fabinho in that role, so I’ve had to adapt to that role. I think I’ve done quite well. I think if you look at Fab, it’s quite natural to him, that’s his position and he’s so good at what you need to do in that position.
“I just thought that might give me a bit more license to get forward more. The manager wants me in both positions, which is good for me and for the team.”
