Liverpool warned £100m ace will be ‘amazing’ signing but he can’t replace Henderson
According to former Premier League defender Stephen Kelly speaking on the BBC Football Daily podcast, Jude Bellingham of Borussia Dortmund would make an “amazing” addition to Liverpool’s team, but he should not be considered a replacement for Jordan Henderson at Anfield.
The recent dip in Liverpool’s midfield performance has also impacted their full-backs, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson, who were previously a potent attacking force.
This decline may be due to the absence of Henderson, Fabinho, or Gini Wijnaldum dropping back to provide defensive cover.
Currently, with Wijnaldum having departed and Henderson and Fabinho’s performance levels seemingly declining, the equilibrium of Klopp’s entire system seems to have been disrupted.
“When Henderson is fit, that’s great because you know he brings that energy. But because he’s getting injured all the time, that shows he cannot do it on a regular basis. So you need to replace him,” says Kelly, the former Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham full-back.
“That has been coming for a while. The rest of the players in there, Fabinho has not been the same. (Stefan) Bajcetic; excellent. But can you rely on an 18-year-old?”
According to The Athletic, Liverpool has identified Bellingham, who is valued at £100 million, as their top target for the summer transfer window. However, even if the England international were to join the team, Kelly believes that Klopp would require another addition with a more defensive mindset.
“Bellingham going there would be amazing for them,” the Irishman adds. “But I don’t think you want him replacing Henderson because you don’t want him to do that job of covering the full-back. The middle of the park really sets out how Liverpool play with the full-backs getting high and (the midfielders) covering their positions.
“It’s so hard if you don’t have those players available. It’s a very difficult decision for Liverpool to be in.”
As per the Daily Mail, Liverpool is also reportedly interested in Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha. A potential new midfield partnership comprising Palhinha and Bellingham, with one acting as a holding midfielder while the other moves forward, may provide the framework for Klopp to establish a new era of dominance at Anfield, rising from the remnants of the previous one.
Liverpool warned £100m ace will be ‘amazing’ signing but he can’t replace Henderson
