Henderson absence hands Keita perfect chance to consolidate Liverpool spot

While Jordan Henderson's absence would have previously been seen as a blow for Liverpool, the Reds' current lead atop the Premier League means it could hand the captain a welcome rest from action. Last week, Jurgen Klopp confirmed that Henderson would face a short spell on the sidelines following a hamstring injury sustained in Liverpool's 1-0 loss at Atletico Madrid. 

Henderson has been impressive for Liverpool this term in their unstoppable push for the title. Only Liverpool teammate Roberto Firmino (26) and Burnley's Dwight McNeil (25) have won possession in the attacking third more times than the 29-year-old midfielder (24) in the Premier League this season, with Henderson shining when allowed the push on from the midfield three in Klopp's 4-3-3 setup. 

Other teams may have struggled in the wake up Henderson's absence, yet Klopp has ample midfield options to cover for the England international in approaching meetings with West Ham, Watford and Chelsea, not to mention their second leg, must-win meeting with Atletico at Anfield next month. 

The one who may benefit most from Henderson's time on the sidelines is Naby Keita. The 25-year-old's time on Merseyside has been rocked with injuries, so much so that Keita has made just 19 Premier League starts following his arrival from RB Leipzig in 2018. With just three starts to his name this season, Keita hasn't been afforded the opportunity to break Klopp's favoured midfield trio of Henderson, Fabinho and Georginio Wijnaldum and while any player wouldn't wish ill on their teammate, Keita must be chomping at the bit at the prospect of a prolonged spell in the Liverpool XI. 

And while he has made just six league and European starts for Liverpool this season, his talent has been clear for all to see. Indeed, from just starts in both the Premier League and Champions League, Keita's WhoScored rating is a superb 8.06. Excluding sub apps, he is Liverpool's top rated player. As far as midfield deputies go, they don't get much better than Keita. 

He affords Liverpool the willingness to get stuck in across all areas of the pitch as returns of 3.5 and 3.2 tackles per 90 in the Premier League and Champions League, respectively, notes, and is more than capable of bringing the ball forward from midfield to peg opponents back. Indeed, Keita is putting in fine returns of 3.9 and 2.9 successful dribbles per 90 in continental and domestic action, respectively, while a dribble success rate of 90.1% in the Premier League ranks among the top five players to have attempted 10 or more dribbles in England's top tier this term. 

Both returns reinforce statistically calculated WhoScored strengths of 'defensive contribution' and 'dribbling' and with Klopp demanding two of his three central midfielders push on to support the attacking three to exploit space left free by Roberto Firmino's desire to drift wide and drop deep, Keita has the requisite skill set to make a starting spot his own. Yet it is injury issues that is preventing him from fully establishing himself as a first team regular under Klopp. 

His stint in Leipzig showed just how effective a weapon he can be, particularly in his debut season in Germany where his WhoScored rating (7.60) was the fifth best in the Bundesliga. And as he gets up to speed following his return to fitness, as proven in his man of the match display in Liverpool's 1-0 win at Norwich earlier this month, supporters are hoping they can bare witness to that 2016/17 form over the final weeks of the campaign as they storm to glory. 

Manchester City's 1-0 win at Leicester on Saturday may have cut their lead at the top of the table to 19 points, but with a Monday night meeting with West Ham looming, Liverpool will be expecting the 22-point lead to be re-established come full time at Anfield. The Hammers have earned just 12 points from 13 away league matches this term and have lost their last four on the road on the bounce. 

Conversely, Liverpool are in the midst of a 20-game home winning run in the Premier League and, of course, come into the clash as overwhelming favourites, even when taking into account Henderson's absence, such is the power of this Liverpool side. And while a win on Monday night should be a formality, Keita will be out to make the most of his chance to consolidate a spot in the Liverpool XI in the long run, which can only be a good thing for the Reds.