On the Plane

As Liverpool left the once again hallowed turf of Anfield on Saturday following the 5-1 demolition of title hopefuls Arsenal, many pointed to the skill, craft and sheer ruthlessness of the attacking quartet of Suarez, Sterling, Sturridge and Coutinho. Liverpool were rampant in attack and capitalised on an Arsenal performance which defies so much of the good work they have done in the last 6 months. However it was in the 15^th minute where the game was won. Jordan Henderson, supposedly an expensive flop charging down and dispossessing the supposedly sensational Özil on the half way line to set up the third goal. His energy and pressing has been crucial to the progression of the reds this year, and could be invaluable for England in the sweltering climes of Brazil come summer.

Arsenal’s season has been built upon a solid defence and an unmatched ability to retain possession. They keep the ball, play it short and have a tight, solid bank of a back four with deep lying playmakers allowing for the flair players to do the damage. It is an easy option to say that they simply did not do these things at the weekend. But a large amount of credit has to go to the style of play employed by Brendan Rodgers. The perhaps unlikely combination of Steven Gerrard and Henderson, both at times deserving of criticism in the last season or two, played in perfect tandem and not only stifled an Arsenal midfield overwhelmed with ability, but outclassed them too.

Gerrard’s teething problems in the deeper position have been well documented in recent weeks, despite signs of promise. The injury to Lucas has placed even greater responsibility upon the captain who has time and time again carried the club through the mire. He has been accused of lacking discipline in this role and questions have been asked as to how effective the barn storming, aggressive Gerrard of the past can be in terms of grabbing games by the scruff of the neck and raising the tempo of the match. He is however, an outstanding reader of the game and his presence as a captain and leader is invaluable as Liverpool look to rise from the murky depths they were plunged in to following the reign of Hicks and Gillett. So how does Rodgers fit in his iconic general along with the exciting, promising attacking talents?

The reality is that instead of simply employing Gerrard as a holding midfielder for 90 minutes, Rodgers asks the 33 year old to sit in a fairly generic midfield  position but to pick up the ball in far deeper areas. The Irishman refused to blame Kolo Touré for trying to play football from the back in the 1-1 draw against West Brom and it is this “playing out from the back” where Gerrard becomes a deeper player. Liverpool ensure that he is given possession as early as possible, often picking up a position between, or even behind the centre backs. Gerrard therefore becomes the quarter back; he is a permanent option to return possession to should there be nothing on whilst also in a position to use his trademark passing abilities to pick out the runs of the incessant attacking players. This allows for the two centre backs to split and bring the line of the back four forward, often up to the halfway line. Not only is this a unique way of playing a high defensive line, but the defenders, in this case Škrtel and Touré, in effect become the midfield destroyers. The potential inadequacies in Gerrard’s discipline and tackling are solved by the opposition attacking midfielders having two central defenders marking them whilst Gerrard, temporarily, becomes a sweeper.

However such a strategy relies heavily upon the athleticism of Gerrard’s midfield partner Henderson. Firstly, he must always ensure that he is either an option to pass to, or is stopping the opposition player from applying pressure to Gerrard. If there is not activity in front of Gerrard when he picks up the ball so deep, the system is dead. The job is similar when Liverpool are not in possession too. Liverpool rely on Henderson to do the running for the captain to guarantee that not only are opposition players under permanent pressure, but that when the ball is won, the loose ball either spills to the nearby, free, Gerrard or the claimer of the ball can recycle it to the number 8.

The former Sunderland player is also vital to the success of the attacking quartet. An inconsistent, vulnerable back four stipulates that attack is the best form of defence and as a result, the pressing of the opposition is lead in the attacking third of the pitch. Henderson ensures that wherever the ball may be on the pitch, there is the perpetual threat of two players to worry about, the Liverpool player occupying that position and Henderson as the support presser. Another feature of his game which has grown this season is an ability to make late surges through the very middle of the pitch. Sturridge and Suarez stretch the pitch and very rarely operate in one zone, whilst Coutinho plays a diminutive, tricky figure throughout the match.  Henderson’s attacking runs compliment the vision and mobility of such players. One such run should have been rewarded with a goal vs Arsenal when played in beautifully by Coutinho only for the England international to lob narrowly wide.

Liverpool remain a long way off being the finished article and despite promise, the Gerrard and Henderson partnership remains in its infancy. Rodgers will need to invest in midfield depth and an alternative option against teams where space and chances are at a premium. However the combination is certainly something which could be beneficial to both Liverpool and England. Henderson is still only 23 years old and is already full of experience. Playing alongside England’s best player in recent years and a Premier League legend can only improve him as a player and character. As for England, the international game demands a greater retention of possession. The Liverpool formation could be replicated for England, with Gerrard and Henderson continuing their roles, swapping the creative but frustrating Coutinho for the neat and tidy Jack Wilshere. In the stifling heat of Brazil, Henderson’s energy could be absolutely crucial, particularly if Hodgson can incorporate Wilshere’s ability to keep possession and Gerrard’s leadership qualities alongside him. If England are to be successful in Brazil, or even to grow as a team for future tournaments, the hideously underrated Jordan Henderson has to be on the plane.