At the moment, Liverpool are flying in the Premier League and Champions League, and Jordan Henderson is playing a key part in it all.
A player that has been often criticized, Jordan Henderson is proving every fan and pundit wrong, playing some of the best football of his career in a vital stretch for title-chasing Liverpool. Henderson had been playing most of his time in the number six position for Jurgen Klopp’s team, and the defensive role limited him.
However, Klopp is now giving the Liverpool captain the chance at a more advanced position in the number eight and even the number ten role. Premier League fans have been screaming for years that the former Sunderland midfielder can only pass sideways, and could never live up to the Liverpool captaincy.
We have seen flashes in the beginning of his career of a really bright midfield player, a possible heir to Steven Gerrard’s Merseyside throne. Of course, he will never be Steven Gerrard, but he does not have to be.
The past three games against Southampton, F.C. Porto, and Chelsea, we have all watched Hendo play in an advanced position, combining with the front three of the Reds and wrecking havoc in the opposition’s box.
His goal against Southampton after previously being behind 1-0 at the St. Mary’s Stadium was a powerful and moving moment for the 28 year-old. His celebration proved just how much that goal meant to him, and how much he plays for the badge on his chest and not the name on his back.
Another great performance against Porto at Anfield had Liverpool fans drooling over what could be with the Englishman playing in this role. This past weekend against Chelsea, his dinked cross to Sadio Mane gave the Reds the second-half lead, bringing them back to the top of the Premeir League table over Manchester City.
Show me the Mané! 🤑 pic.twitter.com/SSs0mrvib1
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) April 14, 2019
It is almost as if a different player has been unlocked for Liverpool, and combined with Fabinho and a confident Naby Keita, the midfield has been nearly unplayable. On the field, Henderson is the picturesque captain, a true leader who will bark at anyone to get his point across the pitch. His grit, determination and passion is truly unmatched.
People have joked about the possibility of him actually lifting the Premier League trophy as a Liverpool captain. All of Merseyside is laughing now, as the picture of number fourteen double fist bumping, screaming at the top of his lungs and lifting the trophy at Anfield is becoming an actual possibility.
The facts are there, he will never be Gerrard, banging in thirty yarders and being the main man on the team. But he will be the workhorse, the brute of the middle, and the burning fire under this Liverpool team. Depending on the outcome of this year, he could even get his own flag in the Kop, and possibly even bring back the wonderful song about him to the tune of “Mrs. Robinson”.