Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp APOLOGISES after win over Porto - 'sorry for that'
LIVERPOOL manager Jurgen Klopp has issued an apology over his handling of captain Jordan Henderson after the star impressed again in the win over Porto.
Liverpool vs Porto: Henderson reacts to 2-0 victory
The Reds made their home advantage count in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final clash at Anfield, winning 2-0.
First half goals from Naby Keita and Roberto Firmino set them on their way as they put one foot in the semi-finals, and attention now turns to Sunday’s Premier League showdown with Chelsea.
While the goalscorers received the plaudits, Jordan Henderson had another fine game in midfield.
This time Jurgen Klopp deployed him in a slightly more advanced position, allowing him to play with more freedom going forward.
The decision was rewarded with another fine performance, backing up his heroics on the south coast in the win over Southampton last Friday when he scored and assisted from the bench.
Henderson displayed energy and an intelligent range of passing, which was pivotal in helping Liverpool score their second when he opened up the Porto defence to find Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Citing that particular through ball, Klopp issued an apology for the way he has handled his captain this season.
“It would be cool if I could ask a player to please play these kind of passes, and we score immediately!” said the German.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has issued an apology over Jordan Henderson (Image: GETTY)
Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson was deployed in a more advanced role by Jurgen Klopp (Image: GETTY)
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp may now play Jordan Henderson further forward (Image: GETTY)
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“Hendo’s a brilliant player, I’m really happy that he can show that again. He likes the position obviously.
"It was my fault that for one-and-a-half years he played as a number six. Sorry for that!
“But we needed him there. It was a really good performance.”
The England international set-up Sadio Mane with a perfectly weighted clipped ball in the second half, but the goal was rightly ruled out for offside.
Jordan Henderson was a key figure in the win at Southampton for Liverpool (Image: GETTY)
Liverpool: Jordan Henderson says team have 'fantastic spirit'
Klopp added: “The second goal was brilliant, but he had the cross for Sadio’s ‘goal’ as well. It was a brilliant cross. I like that.”
Midfield partner Keita scored his second goal in two matches and the £53million signing also won the man of the match award.
“We hoped it would be like this because last game he got better and better, minute by minute, so we wanted to build on it,” Klopp said.
"He was really good tonight. All of them were really hard-working, and really good football too.
“I loved the goal. It was deflected, but it was a situation we wanted, the half-space we wanted to use. The boys did that really well. It was a really good performance.”
