Jason McAteer names two "irreplaceable" Liverpool players

Former Liverpool star Jason McAteer has claimed that Virgil van Dijk and Alisson are "irreplaceable" at Anfield in comparison to Jordan Henderson. The club captain has played a huge role for the Reds, leading them to their latest successful season. Recently he has been ruled out of the game due to his hamstring injury. It is believed that the absence of the player is a big loss for Jurgen Klopp's side. However, McAteer thinks the club boss is able to cover the absence of any player in his squad except van Dijk and Alisson. He said: "There are only two players in the Liverpool team who are irreplaceable – Virgil van Dijk and Alisson. Take either of those two out of the starting 11 and Liverpool are instantly weaker. Take anyone else out, however, and it’s a different story – and even though I am a massive fan of his, that includes Jordan Henderson. Jurgen Klopp has so much cover in all areas that he can afford to lose key men for periods. When he lost Fabinho earlier in the season I remember the gasps and there were plenty of people saying he’d lost the most important cog in the midfield, the heartbeat of the team. Well yes, he was a miss – but have a look at the league table. I never doubted that Jordan Henderson could take on the Fabinho role because he’d done it successfully before and he didn’t let anyone down. And since then, of course, Jordan has become an absolutely central part of the team – but not irreplaceable. At least, not in terms of his playing ability.Where Jordan is missed – and we saw that against West Ham – is in terms of leadership. I thought Liverpool were in second gear during the first half against West Ham and Jordan Henderson would not have allowed that to happen. Henderson doesn’t always have the best of games and people are always quick to point fingers when that happens, but that’s not appreciating his value. When it comes to desire and character that’s when he steps up. And while there are some big characters in that dressing room, no one is bigger than Jordan Henderson."

Source: Goal.com

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