Henderson rusty but Gomez impressive

Jordan Henderson was rusty but Joe Gomez impressive in Liverpool’s 2-1 victory over Leicester City – or so the papers say.

The Reds weren’t at their best but managed to get past the Foxes thanks to Roberto Firmino’s first goal of the season and one from Sadio Mane.

Liverpool were forced to endured an awkward closing stages of the game after Alisson Becker’s error handed the home side a gift-wrapped goal, but that wasn’t enough to stop the Reds walking away from the King Power with all three points.

Henderson started his first game of the season and looked a little bit off the pace, or so talkSPORT thought as they gave the World Cup man an average 5/10 match rating and labelled the midfielder unfit. The Daily Star was more generous with their praise, and awarded Henderson 7/10 but again commented that he looked tired in the second half.

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The Mirror split the two down the middle with a 6/10, but agreed with their journo mates about Henderson’s lack of match fitness.

Gomez had a very impressive game in the heart of Jurgen Klopp’s defence and that was reflected in the press. The Star thought his performance warranted a 7/10 and called it ‘a performance beyond his years’, talkSPORT called Gomez ‘impressive’ as they gave the former Charlton man an 8/10 while the Mirror agreed with their tabloid rival and commented that Gomez improves every week.

Mane scored his fourth in four games and this didn’t go unnoticed by the gathered scribblers, who hold the attacker in high regard. The forward earned 8/10s from the Star and the Mirror, but had the settle for a Len Goodman-esc seven from talkSPORT.

Alisson endured his first pantomime villain performance and was slated by the Mirror, who threw down a 4/10 in disgust as the newspaper sneered at his ‘shoddy’ goalkeeping. The Star was less harsh in their 6/10 rating, while talkSPORT believed that Alisson had a decent game despite the mistake.

Liverpool now have a 12 day wait before their next game against Tottenham Hotspur on the 15^th of September, and Henderson will be hoping for another crack at the whip while Gomez will just want to remain injury free.

The Reds will need to get back to their best if they want to beat Spurs, despite the London side giving away their lead and losing to Watford.

A four game unbeaten start is incredibly encouraging, but Liverpool haven’t been properly tested against one of the better sides in the Premier League – they have the chance to put that criticism to bed in a few weeks time.