Rodgers Overjoyed as New Midfield Duo Fill Gerrard Void

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has expressed his delight over the recent performances of Jordan Henderson and Joe Allen as the pair help fill the void left by the injured Steven Gerrard.

After the Reds' skipper was ruled out for at least a month after suffering a hamstring injury against West Ham United Rodgers turned to Henderson and Allen to provide the dynamism in midfield against Tottenham Hotspur.

The duo both turned in marvellous performances as the Reds' thumped the now-manager-less Spurs 5-0 as Allen's constant pressure on the opposition and ball retention provided an ideal base for Henderson to offer the incisive thrust that led to so many opportunities for the away side.

Taking huge pride in both performances, Rodgers believes the duo are now ready to start proving their doubters wrong after uncertain starts to their time at Anfield.

"I thought both Jordan and Joe Allen were brilliant, in how they pressed the ball," the Liverpool manager told talkSPORT.

"Joe is an outstanding player and as time goes on at Liverpool, he will really show that. He's a big talent; because he doesn't get the goals, he's more a technician and dynamic.

"He'll get maybe six or seven goals a season. But his influence on the team to retain the ball is so important. He and Jordan were excellent."

The Liverpool boss also paid tribute to his predecessor Kenny Dalglish, who sanctioned the club's £20m move for Henderson – then of Sunderland – in the summer of 2011.

With his exorbitant price tag hanging over his head, many questioned whether the 23-year-old was good enough for Liverpool's midfield but Rodgers firmly believes the player has begun to answer his critics back in definitive fashion.

"It's a great credit to Kenny [Daglish]. Everyone talked about Jordan Henderson coming in and the money that was spent on him. When you come into Liverpool, it takes a year just to adapt.

"He has been absolutely outstanding in my time here, a great boy as well and wants to learn. You saw his performance.

"You look at Jordan - a few times he was really organising and encouraging, and getting into one or two of his teammates as well. That's the leadership that you want."