The Athletic's James Pearce joined Steve Hothersall on The Red Agenda podcast and discussed Liverpool's latest victory against West Ham in the Premier League.

While they were given a scare by the Hammers, the Reds rallied to pick up yet another win, coming from behind to snatch all three points in a 3-2 triumph to keep their unbeaten run alive. Indeed, they were 2-1 down at one point in the game and Pearce believes that it was their midfield that suffered because there was no Jordan Henderson to restore order in that area.

Here's what he said about the midfielder on The Red Agenda podcast (26/2/2020): "I thought they missed Jordan Henderson. If anyone was in any doubt about his influence on this team, then I think it was laid bare last night because I don't think there was as much control in midfield. They just lacked his drive."

The Liverpool skipper missed the clash at Anfield due to a hamstring injury so Jurgen Klopp had to make some tweaks for the game that ended up being closer than expected. Looking at the stats from WhoScored, no Liverpool midfielder other than Fabinho was able to make an interception (while the skipper averages one a game) and Henderson's range of passing was seemingly missed, as Pearce notices.

On average, he makes 62.4 passes per game in the Premier League and, while Fabinho did beat that with 76, no other midfielder got close with Georgino Wijnaldum only making 49, perhaps explaining the lack of control in midfield that Pearce cited. With the England international due to be out for around another two weeks, Klopp must find a way to control the engine room better.

Liverpool fans, do you agree with Pearce's verdict or do you think the midfield wasn't the problem against West Ham? Let us know in the comments below!