Good News, Bad News for Injured Jordan Henderson

Having picked up a foot injury in Friday during a training session at Melwood, it was always unlikely that Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson would face Leicester City on Monday night. There was even talk that he could have a broken foot and that he might miss much of the remainder of the season as a result.

Following scans, however, it has been confirmed that Henderson is only carrying a bruise. A long term absence is unlikely and, if the swelling goes down within the next few days as expected, he is likely to be ready to face Arsenal on Saturday in a potentially decisive match between top four aspirants.

That isn’t news that will help anyone who was hoping for Henderson to make a miraculous recovery in time to face Leicester tonight, but it is nevertheless very good news for a Liverpool side that look far more composed when Henderson is available to start at the base of Jürgen Klopp’s three-man midfield.

In the interim, it means that Emre Can is almost guaranteed to get the call to start tonight in the six, with the German having struggled through a disappointing season so far and needing to seize the opportunity to show that he deserves a lucrative new deal. Can has just a year remaining on his current contract.

Meanwhile, the status of Dejan Lovren remains uncertain, and it is not yet clear if the Croatian will be ready to start alongside Joël Matip in Liverpool’s defence or if Lucas Leiva will get another start. Beyond Henderson and Lovren, there are no other major injury issues amongst the club’s regular starters.