Henderson has hardest job as Liverpool skipper, says Klopp ahead of Merseyside derby

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Liverpool, December 9: Jordan Henderson has the hardest job in world football by being Liverpool captain, according to manager Jurgen Klopp.

Henderson was left out of Liverpool's 7-0 romp against Spartak Moscow in midweek and his performances have come in for criticism on occasions this season.

Klopp launched a staunch defence of the England midfielder, who he assured of a place in the starting line-up for Sunday's Merseyside derby against Everton at Anfield, and feels the weight of following club great Steven Gerrard as Reds skipper is a considerable one.

"Even the captain cannot play all the time, he’s in a good moment and good shape," said the German.

"It made sense. I only spoke about it [starting Henderson at the weekend] because people would think 'fantastic story, so make a s*** story of it.

"Sorry... but they are s*** stories [that Henderson has fallen out of favour]. Give me another word for it. He's such an important player for us, I don't get why I have to say that.

"I live in this city and I get how people are talking, but being skipper of Liverpool is the hardest job in world football. The man before was Steven Gerrard.

"I want everyone to respect Jordan Henderson as our skipper. But that doesn't mean he plays all the games."

Liverpool have been in free-scoring form of late, with 5-1 and 3-0 Premier League wins at Brighton and Hove Albion and Stoke City respectively preceding the midweek rout.

They sit fourth in the table, a point above Arsenal in fifth, while back-to-back victories have lifted a Everton and their new manager Sam Allardyce up to 10th.

Everton won't rule out Aubameyang bid

Everton boss Sam Allardyce has refused to rule out making an audacious bid to sign Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Borussia Dortmund.

A report in The Mirror claimed the Premier League club are ready to offer £60million for the striker, who is said to be unsettled at Signal Iduna Park, in January.

"It's the hardest thing to recruit: a centre-forward who scores goals," he said.

"Is he the right type of centre-forward for you? It's the most expensive area of the pitch. We have a number of players here with good goalscoring records who haven't perhaps settled.

"It's my opinion that my first signing has to be the right signing for Everton and my future. If you make bad signings, you get the sack. If you make good signings, you become a better manager."

Asked if Aubameyang was the player he wanted, he replied: "I'm not telling you."

Mustafi out

Arsenal, meanwhile, will be without Shkodran Mustafi for Sunday's Premier League meeting with Southampton.

The centre-back limped off shortly after Manchester United's second goal in their 3-1 win over the Gunners at Emirates Stadium last weekend.

Manager Arsene Wenger says there is a chance the Germany international will be fit to face West Ham next Wednesday but he will not be involved at St Mary's Stadium.

"The only one out at the moment is Mustafi. He is certainly not available for Sunday," Wenger told Arsenal's official website.

"There's a little chance of him coming back for West Ham, but he will not be available for Sunday."

Wenger hopes to have Theo Walcott available after he was taken off as a precaution in the second half of the 6-0 Europa League thrashing of BATE on Thursday.

'Why no Ballon d'Or for Kante?'

Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte said N'Golo Kante would be his choice for the Ballon d'Or, though he believes the star midfielder is always destined to miss out.

Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo claimed a record-equalling fifth Ballon d'Or on Thursday to move level with Barcelona rival Lionel Messi.

Kante finished eighth in the voting for France Football's prestigious individual award in Paris.

"Honestly I don't know if N'Golo Kante can win the Ballon d'Or in his life because of the characteristics of this player," Conte said.

"[But] for me, he is the Ballon d'Or. For a coach, Kante has to win, for every coach."

Sunday's Premier League fixtures

Southampton vs Arsenal (5.30 pm)

Liverpool vs Everton (7.45 pm)

Man United vs Man City (10 pm)

Liver on Star Select 1, HD1

Source: OPTA