When Jordan Henderson got himself booked in the 88th minute of Liverpool’s 2-1 victory over West Brom, the conspiracy theorists were out in force.
The midfielder was booked for dissent and it was Henderson’s fifth caution of the season, meaning he’s set to miss Liverpool’s next match.
But, instead of the Reds being without their captain for a crucial Premier League fixture, they will be without him for the League Cup clash against Tottenham.
With Jurgen Klopp expected to make plenty of changes for the cup clash against Spurs, Henderson wasn’t expected to feature after playing regularly during the league.
Also, with Liverpool currently sitting joint-top of the Premier League alongside Manchester City and Arsenal, it’s understandable that Klopp wants to rest his key players for league matches as they attempt to challenge for the title.
The circumstances surrounding Henderson’s injury are certainly fishy and you can understand why some claim he purposely got himself penalised. However, Klopp rejects that notion and insists he didn’t even know he was suspended for the Spurs clash.
“Actually I have no idea when he got it but I heard immediately in the dressing room,” Klopp said, as reported by Liverpool Echo.
“When you have four, it’s quite likely you will get a fifth. He has a new position if you want, he does make a lot of fouls, but obviously there is a lot of space around him and the ref has a good view on a situation. Five yellows is quite a lot after how many games? Nine, 11?”
We’re not sure whether to believe the German or not but we’ll give him the benefit of the doubt.
With Klopp’s side unbeaten in nine matches in all competitions, they will be hoping to continue that in the coming weeks and months. After the cup game against Spurs, Henderson is likely to be installed back into the starting XI for the visit to Crystal Palace on Saturday evening.
They then have a run of favourable looking fixtures as they play Watford (H), Southampton (A), Sunderland (H), Bournemouth (A), West Ham (H) and Middlesbrough (A).
The German manager and his captain will now be safe in the knowledge that there will be no impended ban looming over him.