It was in East Palo Alto, California in July 2016 when Jurgen Klopp, overseeing his first preseason with Liverpool, predicted Jordan Henderson would become “an international class No. 6” after repurposing the box-to-box player as his deepest-lying midfielder.



Having preached quick transitions, sharper counterattacks, and greater efficiency in possession during the training camp, the manager identified the need for a dual-purpose controller to effectively implement his full-throttle blueprint. So Klopp turned to his captain to assume the responsibility of being the axis of the club’s aggressive gameplan; the player to dictate tempo as well as serve as their defensive screen.



He believed Henderson had the attributes and the attitude to excel in the position, but moreover, that he’d fully commit to a change in role.



Klopp was not wrong. After their initial discussion over what Liverpool required at the base of midfield, the England...