Manchester United move just proved Jürgen Klopp faces another big Liverpool decision this summer
Liverpool and Manchester United both have work left to do in the transfer market. The former could have a big decision looming that the latter has just undertaken.
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It feels like something of an end of an era at Liverpool currently. Having already waved goodbye to two modern legends in Roberto Firmino and James Milner, the Reds are now set to bid farewell to two further vastly experienced players.
Jordan Henderson and Fabinho are on the verge of completing their moves to Saudi Arabia. Jürgen Klopp wasn’t in the mood to discuss their impending exits on Wednesday, but it looks as though it will just be a matter of time. Henderson undertook his medical ahead of his switch to the Middle East on Saturday.
To say it will be a disappointment for two such important cogs over the years to leave midway through a summer would be an understatement — the manner in which Henderson looks set to depart in particular leaves a sour taste.
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It also leaves an obvious void in Liverpool’s engine room, and Klopp and sporting director Jörg Schmadtke will need to address that quickly in the transfer market. But Klopp will also have another important decision to make.
Fans have differing views on how important a captain actually is in football. You only need to look at recent examples though to see why it’s vital that Klopp finds the right successor to Henderson.
Steven Gerrard’s decision to strip Tyrone Mings of the armband at Aston Villa last year certainly didn’t work in his favor. Perhaps his experience there is a big factor behind his chase for Henderson.
Harry Maguire has had his credentials consistently questioned at Manchester United over the years, leading to Erik ten Hag taking the armband off him this week. Bruno Fernandes has now been named the new skipper at Old Trafford, but even that decision has come under scrutiny, given the Portugal international hasn’t quite painted himself as a natural leader with his attitude on the pitch.
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You only have to think back to Liverpool 7-0 Manchester United and Fernandes’ reactions during the second half for reasons to consider him being named captain as a risk.
On the flip side, Mikel Arteta got his decision spot on when he made Martin Ødegaard the Arsenal captain last summer. Just 23 at the time, it was a decision that raised eyebrows, but the Norwegian has led by example for the Gunners, resulting in them building an unexpected title challenge.
