Jürgen Klopp has simple midfield tweak that can save Liverpool and FSG from near-£100m transfer

As Liverpool continue to find ways to patch up what has been a shaky season so far, one dilemma for Jürgen Klopp is where Jordan Henderson will play once he returns from injury.

The Liverpool captain has been unable to reproduce his best goal contribution tally from the 2019/20 season, in which he registered nine across 26 Premier League starts — but there is a role which he should naturally fall into as he moves further into the later stages of his career.

In a campaign in which Fabinho has produced some of his most mixed displays in the number six position, a ready-made solution in Henderson could save Liverpool a significant transfer fee after Aurélien Tchouaméni joined Real Madrid in the summer for €100m (£85m).

By FSG's standards, a nine-figure sum on a defensive midfielder would be reckless when considering that many players play there late into their careers. Of course, while the France international looks to be one of the most promising prospects in that role, the Reds already have Fabinho — who has proven over the seasons to be a stalwart for Liverpool.

He has been largely uncontested at the base of Klopp's midfield, but with Liverpool's promising duo of Harvey Elliott and Fábio Carvalho impressing — and the loan signing of Arthur — it could be time for Henderson to stake a claim for regular starting minutes in defensive midfield. And he would be deserving of a place in the side on the basis of the Brazil international's dip in form.

With similarity to Virgil van Dijk, Fabinho's aura from the middle of the pitch has seen him become Liverpool's best enforcer of the Premier League era. His ability to challenge aggressively at the heart of the spine has helped Klopp's side manage risk to enable a ferocious pressing style, though just two clean sheets in the last eight matches show that there is a problem in the engine room.

The Thiago Alcântara and Fabinho partnership has been a highlight of Klopp's foundation in midfield — particularly in the 2020/21 season where Liverpool fought to maintain their place in the Champions League — but without Thiago, the Brazilian has been unable to step-up. As Henderson returns to a side that is in need of reinforcements, there is a case for him to begin a long-term switch into holding midfield.

Now 32, the skipper already has many of the attributes that could instantly turn Liverpool's form around. Fabinho is undoubtedly a more natural number six, but few are able to manage the press through communication as well as Henderson. In a deeper midfield role, there would be less requirement on him to produce goals and assists, instead focusing on the natural strengths he has demonstrated while deployed in more advanced midfield areas.