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Henderson fills the gap for Van Dijk
In these uncertain times, there is reassuring comfort for Jurgen Klopp.
Liverpool can always rely on Jordan Henderson.
Not for the first time, the captain decided to take matters into his own hands as the Reds, back and obviously upset by their latest VAR-induced setback, were struggling to regain their composure as the game approached halftime.
Boosting his team, Henderson picked up the ball through the inside right channel and wound a distinctive cross that eventually led to a tie for Roberto Firmino.
In the final analysis, it was a contribution that could easily be overlooked.
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But he was a perfect example of how Henderson remains the heart of this team, a true captain. It’s no wonder Klopp calls him his ‘general’ – leadership qualities Liverpool will lean on even more with Virgil van Dijk absent.
The midfielder did so in the middle of the week at Ajax, emerging from the bench to help Liverpool achieve a vital victory in their first Champions League group match.
And only David Coote’s computer lines prevented him from landing a dramatic late winner at Everton last weekend.
With Thiago Alcantara and Naby Keita on the sidelines of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, James Milner exhausted after their efforts on Wednesday and Fabinho on defense, there was no choice but Henderson, along with Gini Wijnaldum, to load the load into the engine room. .
It’s the kind of situation where the captain, fighting, fighting and with the front foot, continues to enjoy.
Alisson assures as Gómez grows
There is only one problem to have at your disposal the best player in the world in his position.
By definition, things are not the same when they are not there.
So, having lost Van Dijk probably for the rest of the season, Alisson Becker’s surprise return was a huge boost for Liverpool here.
Alisson’s shoulder problem kept him out for just three games.
But it says a lot about the difference that makes him feel longer, especially once Van Dijk was hit.
The Brazilian showed no lingering effects of injury on his return, decisive in dealing with the aerial threat from Sheffield United, although he was saved with one shortly after the break after losing too much time in possession with Oliver Burke closing in.
If Adrian had done that, he might well have upset the Reds’ defense.
Instead, Liverpool remained unfazed, their new center-back pair of Joe Gomez and Fabinho overcame a misguided display in the first half with impressively stoic resistance as the visitors increased the pressure in the fourth quarter.
If Fabinho was the standout in Holland three days earlier, this time it was Gomez.
It will take time and effort, but yours could be a new partnership in the works.
Brewster’s strange dream
Rhian Brewster would have long dreamed of making his full Premier League debut at Anfield.
But those golden dreams surely did not imagine him against Liverpool.
Almost three and a half years since he was first appointed to the bench for a high-level game here, Brewster finally got a start in the Premier League and moved to Sheffield United for an initial £ 23 million earlier this month.
Klopp, undoubtedly aware of the impending danger, could not have been more appreciative of the striker before the game, even calling him “our boy” before correcting himself.
Brewster was a popular presence at the club, whose misfortune missing more than a year of key development was confounded by the continued impressive form of Liverpool’s other attackers.
Gomez and Fabinho, then, would have known what to expect from the 20-year-old, who only in August appeared on the brink of a breakthrough with the Reds.
It was a smooth outing for Brewster, unable to make much of an impression before being retired in 54 minutes.
While their journey through the Premier League is just beginning, Liverpool’s imperious Anfield form continues, now just one game away from equaling the club’s record of 63 straight league games at home unbeaten.
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