Jordan Henderson

[Conrad]

can't see a thread on the lad, but I think he deserves one.

 

he's a very old school pass and move type of footballer, the sort that Kenny played with and then bought during his first spell here. Can see why he was Kenny's number one target this summer.

 

think he's settling in well, I've liked a lot of what I've seen from day one. He needs to develop is game, and he's got a hell of a way to go, but he's made a promising start and to me the technical ability and attitude are both there, which is key. Think he has a few goals in him as well. Also be interesting to see if he could work with Lucas in a two.

[Flight]

Good post.

 

He has such great control of the ball with both feet. Would love to see him in the middle with Lucas too.

[épieur]

He looked good against WBA. The quick short passing game with movement around him suited him very well and he definitely enjoyed having a willing runner down the flank to work with in Johnson. If we keep playing like that, he'll do well.

 

Don't want to see him in a midfield two right now. He offers very little defensively and that is something he'll need to work very hard at to improve and he simply has no leadership in him at this point. If the team is not running as a well-oiled machine that he can slot into as a smooth cog, he simply disappears. He can't run a game or take it by the scruff of the neck in any sense, though that may come with more experience.

[Earl Hafler]

Masses of potential. Redknapp or Alonso.

[stressederic]

He's got good instincts as well. Things like his first time cross for Suarez against Stoke all speak well for his ability and potential.

 

If he's looked a little uncomfortable or overawed at times then he probably has been. He's playing for Liverpool Football Club now, that type of reaction is understandable.

 

Given time and coaching we can give him further assurance and composure etc.

 

I'd be more concerned if he'd looked dead relaxed since he joined but not shown any ability at all.

[Conrad]

He offers very little defensively and that is something he'll need to work very hard at to improve and he simply has no leadership in him at this point. If the team is not running as a well-oiled machine that he can slot into as a smooth cog, he simply disappears. He can't run a game or take it by the scruff of the neck in any sense, though that may come with more experience.

 

some fair points there, as you say hopefully he'll grow, obtain more presence with experience

[johngibo YPC]

He looks like the kind of player who will grow into a top one

He's got the attributes its difficult to teach, and the right attitude to learn the ones you can teach

[Mike]

He looks like the kind of player who will grow into a top one

He's got the attributes its difficult to teach, and the right attitude to learn the ones you can teach

And the serenity to know the difference.

[The_MC]

I've been pleased with him so far. Looks a very promising young player. Excellent first touch and technique in hitting the ball. Sounds like he trains hard and he seems to have a decent footballing brain too if you'll excuse the cliché. He's clearly still settling in and there's a way to go before he's a top player, but he has a lot of potential. Hopefully as he grows in confidence and he and the team get used to one another, and the style of play, he'll start to be more dominant in games.

[Zoob]

Like the look of him both on the ball, and his running off the ball, and I think he'll score a few goals too (if not this season, then gradually over time). Don't think I can remember him winning a tackle (not to say he hasn't done so - but he's not involved in too many and I can't remember him winning any), so certainly not ready to be part of a centre two.

[Sir Tokyo Sexwale]

Masses of potential. Redknapp or Alonso.

 

He's not an Alonso either. What I do think he will become especially early, a bit like Xabi, is one of those players you notice when they're not there. He'll probably become more expansive after that

[Rory Fitzgerald]

Masses of potential. Redknapp or Alonso.

 

I think he is looking like the guy he replaced, Meireles.

[Coyler]

And the serenity to know the difference.

[Gambit]

To be honest so far I've been underwhelmed by him considering his price tag but I see potential for him to be top player. Like Carroll and Downing he was playing better last season but he'll take time to adjust. And I don't think it helps that Kenny plays him out wide, he's a central midfielder and that's where he should play. With Stevie out for a while Hendo needs to play alongside Adam and Lucas to show us what he can really do,

[Rory Fitzgerald]

To be honest so far I've been underwhelmed by him considering his price tag but I see potential for him to be top player. Like Carroll and Downing he was playing better last season but he'll take time to adjust. And I don't think it helps that Kenny plays him out wide, he's a central midfielder and that's where he should play. With Stevie out for a while Hendo needs to play alongside Adam and Lucas to show us what he can really do,

 

Maybe in the future, but for now I can see the logic of keeping him out of a midfield 2. Lets see some more confidence, willingness to change difficult games and maybe a bit of swagger before dropping him into a central 2.

 

He had a good game vs West Brom, lets see more of that. Its early days in his Liverpool career, no harm in him getting his games wide or the advanced man in a 3 man mid.

[The_Adder]

Not sure playing Hendo in a mid with two and dropping Lucas is anywhere near clever.

 

I think he is going to be a top player, his technique and ball control are excellent, he has an engine and can pick a pass, a very talented boy this lad.

 

Fee was very high, but we are great at that aint we!

 

Enjoyed watching him play recently, like him a lot.

 

I'd deffo give him again alongside Lucas as some point to see how he gets on as he has centre mid written all over him - we just need that genius of a right mid 1st!

[épieur]

Not sure playing Hendo in a mid with two and dropping Lucas is anywhere near clever.

 

Good thing no one suggested that then.

[The_Adder]

Good thing no one suggested that then.

 

Ooooops.

 

You're right, he suggested in a three with Adam AND Lucas, that would be better!

[Earl Hafler]

 

He's not an Alonso either. What I do think he will become especially early, a bit like Xabi, is one of those players you notice when they're not there. He'll probably become more expansive after that

 

One had the world at their feet and didn't make it. Injuries partly to blame but he just wasn't good enough.

The other had the world at their feet and became a class act.

 

And i do think he has the chance to develop into an Alonso type player. His vision and first touch / one touch passing is excellent.

[Sion]

He's nothing like Alonso. I'd hope he could be a bit of a Michael Laudrup

[yellow jumper]

He's nothing like Alonso. I'd hope he could be a bit of a Michael Laudrup

 

if he turns out half the player laudrup was we'll be laughing. my feeling is he won't.

[Earl Hafler]

He's nothing like Alonso.

 

I love it when people give definite statements like that. Nowhere to go and easily proved wrong. Which you are.

 

And " has the chance to develop into an Alonso type player " is what i said.

 

 

It's like some of the criticisms of Downing. " He was utter shyte and did absolutely nothing all game ". Also b******s.

Edited November 1, 2011 by Earl Hafler

[Sion]

I love it when people give definite statements like that. Nowhere to go and easily proved wrong. Which you are.

 

And " has the chance to develop into an Alonso type player " is what i said.

 

 

It's like some of the criticisms of Downing. " He was utter shyte and did absolutely nothing all game ". Also b******s.

 

He doesn't though. His style of play is nothing like him really

[yellow jumper]

we've had him compared to iniesta, laudrup and alonso, amongst others, in this thread. i think he's capable of being a very good player for liverpool, but not sure any of those comparisons hold water or are particularly helpful. i don't think i've seen him attempt to dribble the ball much, if at all (can remember one occasion against arsenal, where he got tackled). or make the play with any regularity.

 

he does look like he could develop into an effective pass and move player, having said that, with an eye for goal.

[Earl Hafler]

He doesn't though. His style of play is nothing like him really

 

Vision, control, one touch football. No, you're right.