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Dietmar Hamann believes that Jordan Henderson’s attitude for Liverpool in recent matches is a sign of serious problems under Jurgen Klopp.
The Reds are in the spotlight for the wrong reasons once again following a 3-2 defeat away at Arsenal. They have faced questions over their poor form for a while, but those concerns are growing quickly.
Jurgen Klopp has admitted that teams have worked out how to play against his team. But, he said that has always been the case – and that their intensity in recent seasons has avoided the problems of this season arising before now.
Klopp has won everything there is to win at Liverpool in his seven years in charge. However, former Red Hamann feels that does not make him invincible.
“The dynamics at Liverpool are no different than anywhere else and if results are not there, at some stage the manager will come under pressure,” the ex-midfielder told talkSPORT (10/10, 9.09am).
“If they were to get beat next week, or not win against Manchester City, it could be eight or nine points off fourth place. We know the owners are not the biggest spenders, but we know how vitally important it is for the team to be in the Champions League because of the revenue you get.
“At some stage, I think we will have a discussion about the manager and I’m not sure how far we’re off it. He said this week he still feels he’s the right man to do it.”
Hamann then took aim at Liverpool captain Henderson, who cut a frustrated figure on Tuesday after coming off in the win over Rangers.
Hamann warns Henderson part of Liverpool problem
“But I look at little things, Jordan Henderson midweek against Rangers. His number’s going up and he’s reluctantly taking his armband off and coming off shaking his head,” Hamann said.
“This is something we haven’t seen at Liverpool for five years. Henderson, for me, is the ultimate team player, whenever he never played he came on, did his job.
“When he came off, he shook the manager’s hand, said everything was good.
“Maybe there’s little signs that there’s problems within the team or with the manager.”
Liverpool’s slump comes after their 63-game 2021/22 season saw them play every match possible. Hamann insisted that a team coming “seven days from winning all four trophies” will not happen again.
However, he said that Mohamed Salah has “gone missing” since signing his new contract. He added that he has “never been a fan” of Thiago Alcantara and that Liverpool’s defending for Arsenal’s second goal was “naive”.
“Arsenal in the second half were everything Liverpool was four or five years ago,” the pundit concluded.
“This Liverpool team looks tired, pedestrian and they just look flat. I’m not sure where the spark’s going to come from because obviously they’ve won games in the past, they beat Rangers but a tough game at Ibrox now.
“I just don’t know where the spark is going to come from. We talk about the end of an era, I wouldn’t write them off.”
Reds are stuck in a rut
Liverpool looked good against Rangers, with their 4-2-3-1 formation working well in the Champions League.
And while they scored twice against the Gunners, their defending let them down.
The likes of Salah, Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino will always get goals.
But, the lack of intensity and pressing from the front in midfield is putting extra pressure on those at the back. And Liverpool are starting to crack.
They should be mightily worried against Man City next week. Yes, they may score goals if they go at City, but City are deadly going the other way and will be smelling blood.