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"I'm not so big on Henderson" - Ray Houghton on why Milner deserves more credit

The Liverpool forward trio of Mo Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane have been earning most of ...
Newstalk
Newstalk

21.47 30 Apr 2018


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"I'm not so bi...

"I'm not so big on Henderson" - Ray Houghton on why Milner deserves more credit

Newstalk
Newstalk

21.47 30 Apr 2018


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The Liverpool forward trio of Mo Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane have been earning most of the plaudits as the Merseyside club sit on the verge of a first Champions League final since 2007.

But the midfield has also provided an energetic platform of late with Jordan Henderson and James Milner shining against Manchester City and in the first leg against AS Roma last Tuesday.

But for Liverpool and Ireland legend Ray Houghton, it's Milner who is the most important of the two.

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Speaking at our Back Page pub roadshow with BoyleSports on Monday night alongside Pat Nevin, Houghton explained why he is of that belief.  

"I'm not so big on Henderson" - Ray Houghton on why Milner deserves more credit

00:00:00 / 00:00:00

"I'm not so big on Henderson. I think he is doing an OK job," he said, before explaining the stylistic question marks.

"When you're a midfield player, in my opinion, you should be looking to play the ball that can open up a team.

"If you look to his stats for forward passes, they'd be very low because his percentage-wise isn't great - sideways, backwards and continuity little tippy-tappy balls, he's fine. But when he's playing or trying to hit that ball that can open up a defence, if you look to his stats, they're very low."

In comparison, Milner has impressed Houghton and has been "absolutely brilliant for Liverpool in recent weeks".

"Henderson does a good job," he added, "I'm just saying in that position, I've played with a lot of players and your first thought should be forward, his first thought is backwards and side-ways and square so, it's safety football."  


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