Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson will miss the rest of the season due to a knee injury but manager Jurgen Klopp is confident that the 30-year-old will be fit for the start of the new campaign.
The Reds’ talisman had to be substituted in the 3-1 win over Brighton on Wednesday evening and there were concerns that he may need surgery, but Klopp confirmed the news was not as bad as first feared:
“He will not play anymore in the latter stage of this season but I am pretty positive he will start with us the new season. We were all concerned in the moment we saw him in going down and when he left the pitch and stuff like this.”
“Yesterday when we got the news, it was a big relief for all of us. It is not cool, obviously, but it is the best we could get. Hendo will be back; he is a quick healer and he will be back soon.”
Fans on Twitter are disappointed that Henderson will miss the run-in with many pointing out that he may not be able to do his famous shuffle when lifting the Premier League trophy:
Good to hear. Skipper deserves his rest
— Alistair (@r_alistair) July 10, 2020
At least its not too bad. No hendo shuffle with the PL trophy though ?
— BCTF_LFC (@BctfL) July 10, 2020
@rylfcward Phewwwww
— Phillip Rowley (@Rowley15) July 10, 2020
As long as he can still lift the trophy, all is good. Deserves a good rest anyway. ? Get well soon skip. ?
— John Ellis (@Jellis1970John) July 10, 2020
Take some good rest Hendo. See you next season.
— Kenneth?? 19th? ?????? (@kennethleungwy) July 10, 2020
But can he still shuffle ??
— *scousenat? (@scousenat) July 10, 2020
All the other players will have to do the shuffle for him
— keiṫ o' laiġin (@KoemansCC) July 10, 2020
Was going to be a tall order but the 100+ pts are in jeopardy now.
— Pebsy (@Pebs20) July 10, 2020
Not too bad I suppose ..there is only 2 weeks left when you think about it anyway
— TeddyTrix (@nature_boy88) July 10, 2020
Dammit. Good news but still sucks. Jordan has been a beast.
— Syd McGee (@SydMcGee84) July 10, 2020
The skipper’s absence for the remaining games could also hamper the team’s chances of eclipsing the Premier League points record. The team lacked drive and energy when he was left out against Aston Villa last week.
However, the timely return of vice-captain James Milner from a hamstring injury should help mitigate the loss of Henderson to some extent. They face Burnley, Arsenal, Chelsea and Newcastle in their final four games.