‘I’m quite concerned,’ a pundit says of Liverpool’s £44 million player when Jordan Henderson does not start.

Karen Carney told The Kelly and Wrighty Show that she is worried for Fabinho and Liverpool if Jordan Henderson does not play after the Reds’ weekend loss to Bournemouth

Jurgen Klopp’s team was pulled back down to earth on Saturday after their remarkable victory over Manchester United. The Reds were defeated 1-0 at the Vitality Stadium. And the Reds had a rather dismal showing.

Liverpool were dealt a blow before the game when Henderson was named to the bench. In recent weeks, the 32-year-old has been excellent at times. And there were clues along the way that Fabinho might be more like the player supporters come to know during his £44 million move.

Carney is concerned about Fabinho and Liverpool if Henderson does not start.
But, with Henderson not starting against the Cherries, Fabinho had yet another difficult afternoon. That was Liverpool’s first Premier League defeat in six games. Henderson did not start for the second time in that streak.

Carney, for one, believes that the loss to Bournemouth emphasized how important Henderson is to Klopp’s team’s fortunes.

“Fabinho was susceptible when he was on his alone, as he was against Bournemouth,” she said on The Kelly and Wrighty Show. “And then they kept doing it on the counterattack. Jordan Henderson sat next to him the week before, and they both never advanced the ball. They always remained behind it before attacking, and there was that solidity. They simply cleaned everything.

“Henderson is crucial to me. But he can’t play as many games as you’d like at the same level of passion.

“When you don’t have Henderson, I’m worried about the experience, leadership, enthusiasm, and imprint within the midfield to get involved.”

Henderson’s probable continued importance to Liverpool at this stage of his career is a concerning indicator. He’ll be 33 when the next season begins.

Of course, he has contributed much to Liverpool. Yet, the Reds must find a method to bolster their midfield in the summer. They require more energy. And they may require more players who are at or near their prime.

This will also relieve a lot of burden on Henderson and Fabinho. The combination definitely has the potential to be spectacular. Yet, given Liverpool’s ambitions, they are arguably being asked to do too much.