A small thread analysing what Liverpool have missed and will miss in the near future from the absences of Henderson and Fabinho in midfield. #LFC

Starting off with Henderson, assuming Fabinho is available (playing as the #6) and Henderson starts at RCM as this is Liverpool's strongest set up.

Henderson's disciplined game in attack & defence coupled with the fact that he's got a good engine and stamina has allowed Klopp to use him as a wide RM during games, with many of his actions coming near the touchline. This has also provided TAA with protection.

( @SofaScoreINT)

Deploying Hendo as a RM has allowed Salah to drop deep to collect the ball whilst also dragging 1/2 opposition players with him, creating space for Henderson to run into & more time for TAA on the ball when in space - all this whilst not negatively impacting LFC's fluidity.

One thing that Arsene Wenger touched on in the weekend is that with Henderson playing CB, Liverpool have no one in midfield to win the ball back and quickly feed in one of three front three. Henderson is king at doing this (so are Ox and Keita).

Recognise this familiar sight? Henderson tends to drop deep, thus in effect creating a back 3 (Wijnaldum does this too but is limited in his forward passing).

• Henderson has plenty of time on the ball; he can either drive forward or take time, scan the pitch & potentially...

…or look for a long diagonal pass in behind Norwich's defence finding Robbo/Mane - something similar to Ox's goal vs. Bournemouth last season.

• And/Or it makes Norwich players ask the question: do we press or sit off? Recently, opponents haven't been made to think like this. Everyone knows Liverpool are weak structurally so they press high and Liverpool lose the ball under pressure.

Moving onto the imperious Fabinho. Words cannot do justice the significant impact his return to midfield will have. In his absence, Liverpool have missed:

• A fair bit of aerial presence
• Aggression
• Recovery tackles
• Pressure from behind
• Efficient possession recycling

The main quality Liverpool have dearly missed is Fabinho's ability to break up attacks, whether that be by tactical fouls, going in for challenges or aggressively hassling the ball carrier.

Fabinho's qualities and ability to smell attacks before they reach the danger phase allow the team to commit men forward & worry little about what's going to happen if they were to lose the ball as Fabinho thrives when defending against counter attacking situations.

A quite overlooked problem Liverpool have suffered from in the absence of Fabinho (and Van Dijk) is pressurising the attacking players from in behind. This is one effective and proven technique to keep the opposition's key players quiet and under pressure.

In the high defensive line that Liverpool apply, it's imperative to have your midfielders apply timely pressures, otherwise the defenders will constantly be placed in a disadvantaged position. https://twitter.com/alexclapham/status/1361005691746603009

End of Thread. Read, share and let me know your thoughts! #LFC #LFCFamily