Stats reveal why Jordan Henderson is so key to Liverpool and his absence is behind Klopp’s side slump in form

LIVERPOOL are missing Jordan Henderson – and here are the stats that prove it.

They might be runaway Premier League leaders, but Jurgen Klopp’s side have hit the buffers recently suffering three defeats in their last four games.

They first fell to a 1-0 defeat in their Champions League tie away at Atletico Madrid – where Henderson picked up his hamstring injury.

After surviving a few scares, the Reds came from behind to beat West Ham 3-2 in a thriller for Monday Night Football.

But five days later they, and the world of football, was stunned as Liverpool were trounced 3-0 by relegation-threatened Watford.

That was their first defeat of the season.

CONCEDE FEWER GOALS WITH HENDERSON

Then on Wednesday came a meek display as Chelsea triumphed 2-0 in their FA Cup fifth round clash.

And the absence of captain and midfield anchorman Henderson is affecting them.

In games WITH Henderson this season, Liverpool have won 28 of 34, a 82.4 per cent win percentage.

Without the inspirational leader, Klopp’s boys have won seven of 12, a win percentage of 58.3 per cent.

Their average goals for with the England man in the team compared to without is also higher – 2.1 to 1.9.

And Liverpool concede FEWER goals when he plays too – average goals against is 0.7 with him in compared with 1.8 when he is missing.

Henderson could be back for Liverpool’s derby clash against Everton on March 16.

POTENTIAL PLAYER OF THE SEASON?

SunSport reported how ex-Tottenham and England star Gary Lineker show how Liverpool’s recent blip shows how important Henderson is to the team.

After Chelsea’s 2-0 win, the 59-year-old tweeted: “There’s every chance that @JHenderson’s injury could well clinch him the Footballer of the Year trophy.

“Sometimes you don’t realise a player’s importance to a side until they’re absent.”

Henderson’s Anfield team-mate Virgil Van Dijk pipped Kevin De Bruyne and Man City star Raheem Sterling to the Player of the Year honour last season.

He is second favourite behind Sadio Mane to win it this year.

But were he to scoop the prize this season, it would be Henderson’s second individual win of 2020.

In January the former Sunderland man was named England’s Player of the Year for 2019.

Henderson made seven England appearances last year, passing the 50-cap mark during the 5-1 away win against Montenegro.

And he helped helped Liverpool win the Champions League, Super Cup and Club World Cup.

Jordan Henderson picked up a hamstring injury in Liverpool’s Champions League to Atletico MadridCredit: Reuters

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk