Four Liverpool Players to Benefit from Klopp’s Arrival
By Kevin Kelly
![By Martin Davidsen (Flickr: Dortmund maj 2011 182) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape%2Fcover%2Fsport%2Fbcf2e76feaaf37de66669671c2d419e6eabf2c65dda64c9b72c70389e2da20ce.jpg "By Martin Davidsen (Flickr: Dortmund maj 2011 182) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons")
Jurgen Klopp took his first Liverpool training session today, and although some players are still to return from international duty, he must be already aligning plans for how to set up for Spurs on Saturday, and indeed for the rest of the season ahead.
Here, Kevin Kelly lists four key players who could prosper under his tutelage for Liverpool this season.
Jordan Henderson
Liverpool’s captain Jordan Henderson is the principal player likely to improve from the coaching of Jurgen Klopp. Henderson was went from strength to strength with Liverpool following a difficult first season under Kenny Dalglish.
For example, in the 2013/14 season Henderson’s ‘numbers’ offensively were good, but needed improvement. He scored four goals and assisted seven in that Premier League season. The following campaign he took another leap forward; scoring six and assisting nine times.
More from Liverpool FC
- Liverpool’s roller coaster of a season continues
- Has the bubble finally burst at Liverpool?
- How Liverpool can regain their lost glory
- Three factors which might determine the fate of the Reds this season
- 3 Liverpool players who can benefit the most from Darwin Nunez’s signing
His unforgiving work off the ball will always keep him at the fore of Klopp’s midfield plans, but it is the possible offensive improvement possible which could leave Liverpool fans salivating at the thought of an improved Jordan Henderson.
Roberto Firmino
Elsewhere the obvious player to look at is the newcomer Roberto Firmino, who left Hoffenheim for Liverpool for a fee of approximately £29m in the summer. Yet to really get into form and currently out injured with a back problem, the new manager could be perfect for the new star attacker.
In his best season (2013/14) Firmino scored 16 goals and assisted 11 in the Bundesliga, playing just off the striker.
His position and specific positional impact on the team could be compared to someone like Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who Klopp bought from under Liverpool’s nose in the summer of 2013. The direct, second–striker nature of both players is eerily similar.
Mkhitaryan took his time to get going at Dortmund but ended his maiden season with nine goals and 10 assists.
Klopp will know how to get the best out of the Firmino, and his time working with players such as Mario Gotze and Marco Reus will broaden the spectrum of possibilities for the Brazilian.
More from Playing for 90
- Alexia Putellas reaches 400 games with Barcelona
- Everything you need to know ahead of the 250th ‘Super Clásico’
- Barcelona put five past Real Betis
- Manchester City suffer but come away with win over West Ham
- Baffling Liga MX ruling strips Puebla of a hard-earned victory
Daniel Sturridge / Christian Benteke
Lastly, it is intriguing to imagine what Klopp will do with Liverpool’s strikers. Klopp, who predominantly played 4-2-3-1, will have the option of four strikers from Liverpool’s squad. Christian Benteke could serve as a Lewandowski-lite, while Daniel Sturridge could be close to the perfect forward for him, fitness provided of course.
Sturridge was looking like the final saviour for Rodgers with his brace against Aston Villa recently, although it wasn’t to be in the end.
The brace took his tally to 37 goals in 57 Premier League games since arriving from Chelsea two years ago. Sturridge is the full-package as a striker, and although some say he requires a strike partner, a closer and more intense relationship with someone like Firmino could be just what the doctor ordered.