Former Liverpool player and manger Graeme Souness believes club-captain Jordan Henderson is just as important to Jurgen Klopp's side as silky playmaker Philippe Coutinho.
Coutinho, 24, has stolen the headlines a number of times this season for his creative ability, but Souness believes Henderson's subtle influence is equally important.
Henderson has been instrumental in Liverpool's strong start to the season, providing the heartbeat to a fluid midfield.
He is not a silky player¦ but every team needs someone like Jordan Henderson,� Souness said onTalkSport.
He puts the ball under pressure at every opportunity, he has great athleticism, he looks to have a great attitude, he gets to the ball, he makes people make passes they don't want to make.
He is very important to that team, important in a less obvious way than [Philippe] Coutinho.�
Great assist from Henderson & finish from Firmino. Well worth the £7 for taking the shirt off.
Despite a strong start to the campaign which has seen Liverpool go joint-top after 10 games, Souness admits that there are still weaknesses that need to be addressed if the Reds can go all the way and claim their first title since 1990.
"When they are on the front foot, they are fabulous," he added.
"On the front foot, they are as good as anyone - maybe the best - right now. But when the game changes, when you don't dominate from start to finish, you have got to sense that.
"Maybe the wide midfield players have to play a wee bit narrower, the full-backs don't wander, and you have got to sense that. It doesn't have to come from the manager. And I see Liverpool right now and think, is that a fast forward gear from the first minute right to the very end of the game?
"They look a wee bit vulnerable at times when they don't dominate the game."