10 Apr 2017 04:17:16
Ed's, three part question. One do you see wijnaldum having much of a role next season? He's a fine player but surely his quality should only see him as a squad player not a starter. He just isn't quite good enough to be in the team week in week out. The second part is, I know we've been linked with a fair few midfielders, but what about grujic? I know he's young and probably should have been loaned this season, but do you see him getting more game time or will we look to loan him? The third and more controversial is Henderson. And before I go any further, let me say that I love the lad and he is a top, top player. But his reoccurring injury with no solution will see him miss chunks of our season every year. We can't bring in another top midfielder and expect them to play second fiddle and likely we can't afford the wages. Do you think we will look to move him on? Again, I don't want to see it happen from a fan point of view. But I would think the manager would want someone more reliable? The heart says keep him he's great, the logical brain part of me says if the price is right. :^/.

{Ed001's Note - sorry are you being serious about Wijnaldum? His quality has never been an issue, even as a youngster, when Liverpool looked at signing him back then, he had quality in abundance. So long as he continues to show the right attitude, which he has done, then he is good enough to be a regular. Did you not see his assist against Stoke?

Grujic had a lot of injuries, there is no way of knowing what will happen with him right now. It is up to him to decide whether he wants to knuckle down and fight for his place or leave for first team football. He needs some luck with injuries no matter what happens.

Hendo will stay this summer, but, long term, it is a situation the club would like to solve, one way or another. We are currently looking for players for the role he would play when fit. Take from that what you will....}


1.) 10 Apr 2017
10 Apr 2017 06:10:15
I questioned wijnaldum signing but over the last month or so I think he's really stepped up and has been one of our best players.

Ed I'm not surprised the club are looking at players for Hendersons position, I reckon a similar year to this one with injuries then he will be off next summer.


2.) 10 Apr 2017
10 Apr 2017 07:08:20
Fantastic insight Ed1:

Is Can not seen as Hendo's potential replacement? Or do the club see him as having a different role? (I know he still hasn't signed a new deal - not sure if this affects this)

Also, could you give us any names of who we've been looking at replacing Hendo with?

Thanks in advance.

{Ed001's Note - we have European football, so need more players than we have, Can will not be able to play every game. I have mentioned a few before, Obiang was the most likely to come in to strengthen the squad before his injury, not sure if that has changed things or not.}


3.) 10 Apr 2017
10 Apr 2017 07:27:02
Thanks Ed1. Do you mean Obiang the West Ham player? Is he that good?

It'll be interesting to see what happens with Henderson long term.

{Ed001's Note - yes and he is a different type of player from what we have. Only way to find out if he is good enough is if we sign him. Personally I have liked what I have seen, and West Ham hit their bad patch the moment he got injured.}


4.) 10 Apr 2017
10 Apr 2017 07:32:07
Thank you very much for your replies Ed.

{Ed001's Note - very welcome.}


5.) 10 Apr 2017
10 Apr 2017 10:24:07
Wijnaldum didn't come cheap, but you know what, he has been very consistent for me. bombing up and down. He has made mistakes, but at least his contribution far outweighs the mistakes he has done.


6.) 10 Apr 2017
10 Apr 2017 10:25:26
Wijnaldum is restricted in his role at Liverpool. He is someone who should get into the box more often. But due the way we play and without a stopper. He is hardly asked to bomb forward. He could score goals and that's pretty much clear only if you remove his shackles. He would excel along side a good DM.
Grujic should have never been bought.


7.) 10 Apr 2017
10 Apr 2017 10:28:30
It's difficult for Grujic as he's still a young lad and growing so it's almost like with Gerard's and the injuries he suffered at a similar age, he's got loads of time to develop so patience and space to develop and grow is what he needs.


8.) 10 Apr 2017
10 Apr 2017 10:29:43
Obiang is a not a holding midfielder and I don't see any reason to buy him. I have absolutely no idea how would he replace Henderson the DLP.


9.) 10 Apr 2017
10 Apr 2017 10:30:32
Wijnaldum has been absolute quality, his passing range is excellent as shown by his assist vs Spurs and stoke. He's proactive and constantly on the move and looking for the ball. He's a really intelligent midfielder, no idea how you could assume he should just be a squad player.

{Ed001's Note - by the way, no one said he should replace Henderson, only that we are looking at more central midfielders due to Hendo's ongoing injury problems. The idea being to phase him out next summer, not this year. I should have made that clearer before Harry gets on his soap box.}


10.) 10 Apr 2017
10 Apr 2017 10:41:30
Wiji just needs to stop panicking when he finds himself deep. Pushing up he's one of our most effective midfielders but twice in two games now he's made horrendous back passes for certain goals (this time Mings managed to get him out of trouble) that would go on to cost us points. In both games he equalled out the damage but giving away those opportunities will be costly eventually, and he needs to stop it now.


11.) 10 Apr 2017
10 Apr 2017 11:47:35
I wouldn't even classify henderson as a holding midfielder to be honest. Some players are adaptable, able to play a few roles, intelligent enough to understand the difference when asked to play different roles.


12.) 10 Apr 2017
10 Apr 2017 11:26:38
Hey ed01, could you mention the other names you have heard? Also, who is seen as his long-term successor for the armband?
I sincerely hope that Hendo overcomes his injury problems, because he has been a top, top player for the club, and we would have been better if he could mature to his full potential - I am convinced he has not reached it yet, and the injuries are sadly disrupting this process. At one time I was expecting him to become a Stevie G-level determinator, and finally earn the fan-respect that he deserves.

{Ed001's Note - nobody is seen as his long term successor, the club is just making contingency plans in case he cannot recover from his injury. For next season it will be the addition of another central midfielder, someone who can add energy or drive. Like Obiang or Nzonzi (if he could be tempted to return to the Prem amid Sevilla's meltdown). Then it will be a case of having the players there in case Hendo can't recover, but if he can, then great. It just gives us another season to assess it.}


13.) 10 Apr 2017
10 Apr 2017 13:30:00
Phase Hendo out Ed?

{Ed001's Note - if needed yes. Hopefully it won't be.}


14.) 10 Apr 2017
10 Apr 2017 13:41:51
That defensive header though, hahaha! Aside from that he's been really good for us, don't see what people are complaining about.


15.) 10 Apr 2017
10 Apr 2017 15:03:40
Llalana, Wijnaldum and Hendo are three top class midfielders. Can has blown a bit hot and cold but has shown plenty of promise and PL proven experience. Besides that we have Stewart who seems to be running out of time to get game time, Grujic who's untested but seems a decent talent, and a bunch of other youngsters like Ejaria who probably need another season of getting used to be around the first team before regular starters.

If we get into Europe (as we should from here), we're going to need cover from a decent proven player to rotate and cover injuries and even if we do we should still be plenty of scope to bring through Grujic.

I still hurt when I watch Deli Alli for Tottenham. I hope Grujic can be our equivalent one day!


16.) 10 Apr 2017
10 Apr 2017 15:25:26
Wij has been solid for us all season however, he needs to refrain from offering assists to the opposition, LOL. As for Hendo, I believe Ed is right. The injuries may rob him of his LFC career as he has been a top player for us and a true role model due to his desire to win, work ethic and appetite for the game. I truly hope we don't lose him.


17.) 10 Apr 2017
10 Apr 2017 17:57:16
Ed001, are these injuries of Henderson's proving Ferguson's comments on his running/ playing style to be correct? I'd hate that!

{Ed001's Note - no, they are nothing to do with that. His comments were just bitterness.}


18.) 10 Apr 2017
10 Apr 2017 18:36:56
And soreness for being rejected by a 20 yr old, Ed. Don't forget that.


19.) 10 Apr 2017
10 Apr 2017 22:20:31
Have we shown any interest of trying to persuade Nzonzi to leave Sevilla? Just out of curiosity.