Jurgen Klopp reiterates Liverpool’s poor form is not down to individual players after Jordan Henderson question

Jurgen Klopp has reiterated Liverpool’s poor form is not down to individual players after being asked about missing Jordan Henderson’s leadership qualities in the midfield.

In a detailed press conference ahead of Monday’s Merseyside Derby, Klopp was asked about the importance of Henderson’s return to top form.

“I don’t understand why we talk about one player,” he answered. “Everybody knows how much I respect Henderson.

“Henderson is not our problem, never was and never will be.

“When he is ready and in good shape, he played 98 percent, probably, of the games we had.

“He played all these games because he’s a very, very important player for us.”

In response that answer, Klopp was told: “Henderson’s form hadn’t been up to standard, like the others” before the Liverpool manager continued by saying: “The key is like all the others.

“If you miss something from Hendo but all the rest are ‘there’ we wouldn’t miss it that much.

“Like all the others are [important], like Virgil van Dijk when he’s at a top level. Not even Virgil played all the games sensationally well.

“This is a team story, not individual players or members of staff.”

Diogo Jota could return for the game against Everton after being on the sidelines since picking up a calf injury in October.

He has been training this week and was part of a list of Liverpool players who have recently been injured, with Virgil van Dijk and Luis Diaz also out of action.

Klopp says the Merseyside Derby is a game where the Reds “desperately” need three points.

“This is not a time we wanted to have or a time we are happy to be in,” he added. “But I think it’s a time as well where we can show that the club is really special.

“The boys have delivered a lot of great moments in the last few years. In this moment, for different reasons, not all of them are clear. It is not possible that we didn’t do it, but we are still fighting to change the situation in a better direction.

“But I really believe, the better you behave in your lower moments, the quicker you get to the better moments again and much more success will happen in the better moments because you’re still together.

“So far, we have done really well altogether, especially our supporters. I’m looking forward to that, a derby atmosphere, a proper atmosphere and a proper football game.”