Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson has heaped praised on the star-studded trio of Philippe Coutinho, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino
Within just over a year in charge at Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp has turned the fortunes of the Merseyside club around, who now enjoy their status as table-toppers. After a rather fruitless 2015/16 season, things finally seem to be headed in the right direction for the Reds.
While everyone has been speaking about Klopp’s hands-on approach at the club and his Gegenpressing that has reaped huge benefits, club captain Jordan Henderson has singled out the performances of Liverpool’s ‘world-class’ attacking trio of Sadio Mane, Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino.
“I see them every day and for me they are world class players. It’s a pleasure to be playing with them. It’s our job to ensure that we offer protection for them when they are going forward and expressing themselves,” Henderson told the Liverpool Echo.
“It’s their understanding of the game, not only going forward, but also the work rate they all give for the team in terms of pressing and winning the ball back high up the pitch. They all help the team defensively. The three of them are fantastic at that and then going forward they are unstoppable when they are on it,” he added.
Mane, the newest inclusion in the Liverpool attack, has taken little time to adapt to life in Merseyside. It seems that the Senegalese winger has been part of the Reds setup for a number of years and is getting better with each passing game.
His performances have not gone unnoticed and have seen him earn praise from Liverpool great Jamie Carragher. The former captain, now a TV analyst, stated that Mane’s pace and physicality has given the Liverpool side a constant runner who is always willing to receive the forward pass.
“With the fourth goal we’ve seen what this player [Mane] brings to Liverpool. It’s just brilliant and it’s what he’s been signed for,” said Carragher after Liverpool’s 4-3 win over Arsenal, as per The Sport Review.
Philippe Coutinho has been Liverpool’s shining star since his bargain fee of £8.5 million from Inter Milan. He has repaid every penny the club paid to bring him in and is continuing to grow in confidence as well as in stature for the Reds.
This season, playing on the left side of a three-man attack, Coutinho has been ruthless in front of goal, and has been a terror to opposition defences. With five goals and six assists, he has been the highest goal contributor for the club and is starting to etch his name in Liverpool folklore.
Firmino, too, has been extremely influential playing as a false nine and has done enough to keep the likes of Daniel Sturridge and Divock Origi at bay for a spot in the starting eleven. His movement and understanding with the players around have made the Brazilian a vital cog in the Reds setup, and Klopp will be hoping that he can continue his good run of form.
