LONDON, ENGLAND - Friday, December 22, 2017: Liverpool's captain Jordan Henderson goes off with an injury during the FA Premier League match between Arsenal and Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Jordan Henderson to miss lengthy spell as extent of latest injury revealed

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson is set to miss the next six games after picking up a hamstring injury in the 3-3 draw away to Arsenal.

Henderson pulled up in the opening stages of that frustrating night at the Emirates, replaced by James Milner before watching his side play out a dramatic clash.

The midfielder was then absent for Boxing Day’s 5-0 blitz of Swansea City at Anfield, watching from the stands as they extended their unbeaten run to 14 games.

Liverpool’s congested period is set to continue with two games in three days against Leicester City (December 30) and Burnley (January 1), before their return to FA Cup action.

That comes at home to Everton in the third round on January 5, but while Jurgen Klopp will be hoping to have integrated new signing Virgil van Dijk by then, Henderson won’t be available.

According to the Mail‘s Dominic King, Henderson is set to miss “at least” the next four weeks through injury.

This will see him miss six further games, in another extended period on the sidelines for the injury-prone captain:

Before this setback, Henderson had only missed one game with a thigh problem, but he spent the final three months of 2016/17 out with a foot injury.

Prior to that he had endured extended runs in the treatment room in 2015/16 with a broken metatarsal and a knee ligament tear.

After playing regularly since joining Liverpool in 2011, Henderson failed to make more than 27 appearances in either of the last two campaigns, despite his focal role in Klopp’s squad.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Boxing Day, Tuesday, December 26, 2017: Liverpool's injured captain Jordan Henderson before the FA Premier League match between Liverpool and Swansea City at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

This is an alarming record, with Henderson forced to relinquish the captaincy to Milner on a number of occasions since the veteran joined from Man City in 2015.

In recent weeks, Philippe Coutinho has also worn the armband, notably producing stellar performances in the 7-0 win over Spartak Moscow and the 5-0 win over Swansea.

The Brazilian has seemingly relished the role, having previously captained Brazil to great effect, and it could be that he continues to lead the side while Henderson is out.

The addition of Van Dijk, in a world-record £75 million deal, provides Klopp with another natural leader.

While the Dutchman cannot be registered until midnight on January 31, he will likely be brought into the side as soon as he is available, serving as one of Klopp’s most important players.

More from This Is Anfield

Fan Comments