14 Mar 2016 14:19:22
Hi All, I'm interested in peoples opinions here. I read an article over the weekend about how great Can is doing, nothing odd about that. But the article went on to say that if Liverpool are to progress Can would need a new top class partner. This surprised me as in my mind he already has a top class partner.

For me Henderson is up there with Coutinho and Sturridge as one of our best three players. Can is good and will get better but, even with his potential considered, I expect Henderson to be the better and more important player.

I think Henderson can play at the highest level over the next few years and I think there's a decent chance that Can could partner him all the way to the top but do other people think this partnership has the quality to boss the league and compete with the top European teams or will we need to upgrade to achieve our ambitions? If so who's the first to get replaced?

1.) 14 Mar 2016
14 Mar 2016 14:41:29
I saw Emre Can's partner online the other day Muscat. She is definitely 'top class'. Definitely one of the best parents hope in Europe, no need to change! Lucky boy he is!

2.) 14 Mar 2016
14 Mar 2016 14:57:48
Just searched for her and immediately had to rush back and give you an agree Brendas :)

3.) 14 Mar 2016
14 Mar 2016 15:13:43
Its not even close when you compare Henderson to Can, Hendo is the superior athlete, better close control, bigger goal threat, better passing in confined spaces, leader of the team, better positionally, larger passing range and in terms of pressing the best in the entire squad. Don't get me wrong I really enjoy watching Can, be he isn't anywhere near the player Hendo is yet.

But there are some things which Can provides that Hendo doesn't which is those bone crunching slide tackles, Shoulder barging opposition players just to let them know your there, strong aerial challenges, breaking the game open with a 10-20 yard run with the ball. Very Fundamental things that just lift the moral of a team. All things that incidentally fans also love to see, hence why you read articles raving about him.

The problems we have right now is lack of goals from midfield and a player who can control the tempo of a game, Hendo is the biggest goal threat when Milner and Can play, Milner can't play DM and when Can plays there he leaves big gaps. So Hendo has to play DM, we solve a bit of the problem when Lallana plays in terms of goal threat instead of Milner, but then we aren't as stable defensively.

Going forward I think we have two options one is to get a DM who can offer the same things Hendo does in that position, and push he further forward with Can and hope they offer us a greater goal threat. Or the second option is to bring in a Lampard/ Gerrard type player who can get you 10-15 goals a season and keep Hendo playing DM, I would love to see Ross Barkley, but that's dreamland.

I will say this though, the last couple of games with Hendo and Can we have been physically dominating teams in midfield, something I haven't seen in a Liverpool team since my memories of being a Liverpool Fan.

4.) 14 Mar 2016
14 Mar 2016 14:36:29
Do we have a choice? I can't see us buying a CM in the summer. Klopp plays only 2 CM in the middle and its Hendo and Can for now and future.

5.) 14 Mar 2016
14 Mar 2016 15:51:23
I personally don't rate Henderson as much as some do on here, I think he's a good solid honest pro and I also think he has lots of good points I also really like him as a person as he comes across really well but do I seriously think he's good enough to win us major trophies, I just don't see it, I know he had a top season the year we nearly won it and I know he's been carrying this dreaded heel injury but I dunno I just don't see it, I hope i'm wrong as his attitude is spot on, I also think a lot of players could have played behind Luis THAT season and we'd have finished in the same place, but I suppose we'll see
I see lots of surprises in the summer but i'm not sure If Henderson leaving is one of those so he'll always get support no matter what
Everyone has their own personal favorites I suppose, I like Sakho, lots dont, Summer will be interesting for sure.

6.) 14 Mar 2016
14 Mar 2016 16:13:52
Jatt, I think your assessment of them shows we have no need to change. Hendo and Can are a nice mix, Can brings tenacity, power and drive whilst Hendo provides control, range and penetration. They're both good athletes and I think they compliment each other well. They may not score loads of goals between them but our front 4 are starting to gel and look to have more than enough goals in them to compensate.

Harry, the article I read suggested we should go for Xhaka this summer and that he should partner Can. I don't really watch football outside of England so I have no idea how good he is but, having read a little, my instinct is he wouldn't improve the team over Henderson.

7.) 14 Mar 2016
14 Mar 2016 16:27:46
Was the article written by sir alex ferguson by any chance?

8.) 14 Mar 2016
14 Mar 2016 16:44:30
What about Allen in the team in replacement of milner? Allen still puts in a great tackle and could link up really well with the front three.

9.) 14 Mar 2016
14 Mar 2016 16:52:30
I'll say the dreaded words. Henderson is nowhere near the standard of a centre midfield Liverpool captain. Working hard and being a good guy are not enough. He simply lacks ability. He was bought for his potentential which he has simply not fulfilled. A good all round player but certainly not one who can change a game or turn the tide. At mid 20's I can't see him turning out to be the player we all want to be : (

10.) 14 Mar 2016
14 Mar 2016 17:16:09
Sorry Redman but I think you're completely wrong and the majority of reds fans agree. I personally expect that all you can see with the words LFC, midfield and captain is Stevie Gerrard and will be proclaiming that anyone who isn't Gerrard isn't good enough - which simply isn't the case.

11.) 14 Mar 2016
14 Mar 2016 17:16:30
I disagree Redman, Henderson has bags of ability, a great mental attitude and a huge desire to win and keep going from start to end. He is carrying an injury now which is limiting a big part of his game (being his tireless, non-stop harrying and pressing) but he is still doing well. I think, all going well and him recovering, that we will see a truly outstanding Liverpool captain emerge next season. I think he has the potential to be one of the best CM's around - his all round game is quality and, before his injury, he was starting to pop up with important goals as well. The lad has a big future, I want it to be with us.

P. s. I thought Can was off the boil a couple of months ago - credit to the lad he has bounced back and really started to show his quality. He still does annoying things at times (his passing is really frustrating as his decision making) but he is growing in stature and is clearly improving - Henderson and Can has the makings of a really top class central midfield pairing for years to come.

12.) 14 Mar 2016
14 Mar 2016 18:43:08
All of the talk of Can and He do in the middle and I know he's only 18 but where do you see Grujic playing come next season?

13.) 14 Mar 2016
14 Mar 2016 18:46:06
I think to get the best from Can and Henderson you need a player in the mould of xhaka/ kante.
We have Lucas for this but I think a more mobile one when only playing 2 cm is required.
I like the look of Stewart and he could become a great player given a few years around the first team, to much pressure for now.
I think we should seek out a player in the summer and it be him and either Can or Henderson if playing with 2 cm and in some cases or games have all three in there and two wide and one up.

14.) 14 Mar 2016
14 Mar 2016 19:43:07
Just to add to this, Henderson's form has been poor since his return from injury. His range of passing has deteriorated to an alarming level along with his shooting.

But since Henderson is highly motivated and a natural leader, I believe he will be back to the same level, maybe even better next season, which excites me the most. The pair of Henderson and Can will be the one to watch the next season.
YNWA!

15.) 14 Mar 2016
14 Mar 2016 19:48:41
Xhaka, Kante and Lucas are three very different players. Don't really get your point mate.

16.) 14 Mar 2016
14 Mar 2016 19:49:15
It's all about penalties, ask Ron Keague, he knows,
Tell em Ron.

17.) 14 Mar 2016
14 Mar 2016 19:51:41
Benteke for captain.

18.) 14 Mar 2016
14 Mar 2016 21:33:00
Puzzled
I mean Lucas isn't like xhaka or a kante, not as mobile as them which I think you need if playing two in centre.
Xhaka and kante cover every inch of grass in there winning the ball back, yes differences in there game but to sit in there they would both be a better foil for can/ Henderson.

19.) 14 Mar 2016
14 Mar 2016 18:23:33
Alonso - Mascherano - Gerrard
Could someone explain me whom would Henderson or Can replace in the above three?
None is the answer.

20.) 14 Mar 2016
14 Mar 2016 19:59:14
Puzzled got that bang on. What we need is Xhaka or Nainngolan.