07 February 2023 , 13:01
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Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy has criticised Jurgen Klopp for continuing to leave captain Jordan Henderson on the bench.
The Reds are in the midst of a woeful season after winning just eight of their opening 20 league games, leaving them tenth in the Premier League table. Their season lurched from bad to a complete disaster last time out as they were dismantled 3-0 by relegation candidates Wolves.
Many have been attempting to find a reason behind Liverpool ’s slump this term, none less than Klopp. Ex-Red Murphy has claimed that the absence of captain Jordan Henderson has been a huge contributing factor and suggested that the decision to leave him out of the starting lineup is an error on Klopp’s part.
“I’m still surprised that every time I see a Liverpool team sheet,” he told talkSPORT. “I don’t see them train, but I don’t care how he is training, Henderson plays every game for me, still.
“He is the heartbeat of the midfield, he’s still got the legs to do it, and for some reason, he [Klopp] keeps leaving him out.
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“I know Fabinho has had a tough time, but when you've got players who have done two or three years of brilliant seasons for you, being consistent, allow them to go through their bad spell and put them back in.”
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Despite having made 24 appearances for the Reds so far this season, Henderson is no longer one of the first names on the teamsheet under Klopp. He has been handed just ten Premier League starts this term and has not started back-to-back league games in 2023.
Speaking after their shocking humbling at the hands of Brighton earlier this year, the England midfielder has claimed that the hectic fixture list could potentially help the Reds get out of their current slump. Speaking to Liverpool’s official website, he said: “Of course it's really disappointing and we know we can be a lot better, we know we can play better, we know we can give even more – which is the real disappointing thing.
“But you've got to keep working, you've got to keep going. There's no point in just sitting feeling sorry for ourselves.
“Like I said, the games are coming thick and fast. So, big games coming up and you've just got to keep your head down, work together, stay together as a team.
“Because this is the moment where people can think individually and do their own thing – but it's important we stay together and come through this, and it'll make us stronger in the end.”
Liverpool - and indeed Henderson - will be hoping to get back to winning ways in what is set to be a huge Merseyside derby against Everton on Monday evening.