Kite

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That's feckin mad

It is to the extent he is not performing to the level he did in the past and we're suffering because of it - as we were for periods with Reina in goal. A lot of people really didn't want to see Reina lose his place. He has and we've improved - I can't imagine anyone would argue with that now. It's viable the same could happen with Lucas. Henderson has repeatedly put in good performances when played centrally but it's the fact that he gives options is what is key - his mobility opens up avenues for the rest of his team mates. Whether we go back to "Sitting Lucas" or now stick with "Running Henderson" though, no, I don't think changing a single individual player is going to completely change the team's fortune. However, we are conceding that something should change so why go back to what didn't work when we've just seen something better.

There's been no match this season where we've had anything like the possession we had in that match - having simply more than 50% possession is not what I'd consider "dominating" possession. I'm fine with Henderson not specifically "holding" as such, less sitting still and more movement, both offensively and defensively, can obviously be a benefit. Your remarks on Lucas seem to be very much stuck in the past. A bit like the Reina situation, I don't think it's a game where we can be afford to be sentimental about how players played for us in the past, it's what they are doing now that affects us and Lucas is one weak link currently (not to the squad mind, but in respect of our best eleven). Ideally we can improve on both but for now I think Henderson is clearly a better option.

Not saying there still isn't room for improvement yet but we dominated possession in that match, which is something we haven't done for a good while. Giving Henderson a run in that position should help, you'd hope, cement the difference.

That's assuming we need two defensive midfield/holding players. Toure, Skrtel and Sakho, with Henderson moving about to cut out gaps really should be enough in most matches.

The title of the thread is we need to change tactics to do better - so, arguably, we need to change tactics to suit Lucas (have more defensive cover around him to cover his lack of mobility), or we need a different player to Lucas to suit the tactics - Henderson or Allen offering immediate "off the shelf" alternatives. It's Bren's call but the current tactics and Lucas (and Gerrard) are clearly not convincing anyone.

and yet the whole thing is predicated on this: which statistically is 110% longer than a piece of string...

Henderson hasn't been playing in the same position though (and making passes in the opposition area is obviously more risky/prone to failure than in your own half). When he did play in Lucas's position, his pass completion rate is 92%

Thought that was the whole matter of the discussion actually, especially given it's Hendo's thread!

Why?

Don't think anybody is suggesting the problem is gone or the solution is ideal, simply that we are better and hence should be sticking to that for the moment. Reducing Henderson's role to just running around is unfair too, his tackling and ball recovery was excellent but notably our possession and passing was way up on Saturday compared to previous games, contributed I think by the greater mobility (and hence availability) of Henderson.

I'd prefer to see Henderson play ahead of Lucas for the moment anyhow - Lucas has experience and a good head but the lack of mobility he offers us I think costs us; Henderson is far more dogged and players can't simply run by him as they can with Lucas. Plus the more Henderson is played centrally the more his ability to read the game from that position will improve. The playing in tight spaces I think is a bit moot - when you're more mobile you're more likely to position yourself/pull away from tight spaces anyhow.

Henderson Sturridge Sakho

I'm astonished Rodgers still refuses to let him play in his best position, this sticking him on the wing business is doing nobody any favours. He has the capacity to be a better player if given the right opportunities

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The article is completely wrong on the fundamental point about the contract so why would it be right on anything else?

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http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/johnson-signs-reds-extension [edit: that's 2011 btw]

Which would be more worrying really.

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I'm still getting wound up about it Don't understand why he would rather play Hendo out of position in order to stick with an obviously weak midfield. The central midfield unit just doesn't seem to be a priority for him at all, find it baffling.