After sustaining an ankle ligament injury against Borussia Dortmund, Reds midfielder Emre Can is out for the season, but which one of Liverpool's fringe midfielders is the best option to replace the German for the last month of the season?
When one door closes, another door opens, and with Can of and Henderson both out for the rest of the season, one of either Lucas Leiva, Joe Allen, or Kevin Stewart will get an extended run in the team.
When asked last week about who is most likely to cover Can in midfield, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp told reporters:
"It is a really good opportunity for Joe Allen. Lucas is here, Kevin Stewart is here and we have Pedro Chirivella and Cameron Brannagan so we have a few boys still for central positions".
The fact the Klopp mentioned Allen first suggests that he favours him above the club's other options, and that makes sense given the £20m-rated midfielder's effective performances this year.
This is borne out by Klopp's team selections for the last two league games; Allen - hailed as 'excellent' last week by Steve McManaman - has started both games, and Stewart is also emerging as favoured option for the manner.
Liverpool fans appear to agree with the manager's selections. I conducted a site poll last week, and the results are emphatic:
It looks like it's game over for Lucas as a central midfielder. Klopp is increasingly using him as central-defensive back-up, and that's where he played against Bournemouth at the weekend.
As for Allen, I still don't believe he'll become a permanent fixture in the team. Prior to February 6th, Allen had made just ONE league start under Klopp, and he's only on four league starts for 2016 so far. Additionally, if Klopp really rated Allen, he would've organised a new contract months ago.
Allen is in the shop window right now, and with new central midfielders arriving in the summer, I have no doubt that he'll leave in the upcoming transfer window.
Author: Jaimie K
When one door closes, another door opens, and with Can of and Henderson both out for the rest of the season, one of either Lucas Leiva, Joe Allen, or Kevin Stewart will get an extended run in the team.
When asked last week about who is most likely to cover Can in midfield, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp told reporters:
"It is a really good opportunity for Joe Allen. Lucas is here, Kevin Stewart is here and we have Pedro Chirivella and Cameron Brannagan so we have a few boys still for central positions".
The fact the Klopp mentioned Allen first suggests that he favours him above the club's other options, and that makes sense given the £20m-rated midfielder's effective performances this year.
This is borne out by Klopp's team selections for the last two league games; Allen - hailed as 'excellent' last week by Steve McManaman - has started both games, and Stewart is also emerging as favoured option for the manner.
Liverpool fans appear to agree with the manager's selections. I conducted a site poll last week, and the results are emphatic:
It looks like it's game over for Lucas as a central midfielder. Klopp is increasingly using him as central-defensive back-up, and that's where he played against Bournemouth at the weekend.
As for Allen, I still don't believe he'll become a permanent fixture in the team. Prior to February 6th, Allen had made just ONE league start under Klopp, and he's only on four league starts for 2016 so far. Additionally, if Klopp really rated Allen, he would've organised a new contract months ago.
Allen is in the shop window right now, and with new central midfielders arriving in the summer, I have no doubt that he'll leave in the upcoming transfer window.
Author: Jaimie K
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