QUESTION marks. To the left, to the right. Underneath Jordan Henderson’s bed, in the front seat of his car. From the age of eight, the punctuation point has followed the midfielder around, naggingly querying his every skill and effort. It has almost placed itself alongside his athleticism and industry as part of the package.
Can he…? Will he…? Should he…?
The latest examination that will now shadow the midfielder is whether he is cut out to be captain of Liverpool Football Club.
Let’s leave that there, and take a little trip back to December 2013. Just as Christmas was approaching, Henderson’s dad Brian received a dreaded diagnosis — there was carcinoma (cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues lining or covering body organs) of the middle part of his throat and a tumour on his tongue. He struggled with how and when to break this to his son, only revealing details after the festive period.
He delivered the news with a request: “I said to Jordan that the best thing he could do for me when he got back to playing was try to get Man of the Match in every game.” The midfielder managed to do that in four of the next five fixtures he featured in, despite his emotional state.
“People didn’t realise the pressure he was under,” explained Brian. “I was so proud of him.”
Back to today. There is a strong feeling that he who dons the Liverpool FC armband shouldn’t be front and centre in Nivea ads. Now, I don’t know about you, but I’m definitely willing to place more stock behind Henderson’s steely response to a shattering scenario, than his part in a commercial, which wasn’t actually his choice.
Ever heard of Osgood-Schlatters? It’s a growing pains condition requiring regular treatment and, at 16, it hit Henderson head on. He did not have the physique to deal with how he immediately shot up and his body seemed to be slowly falling apart — bad knees, fragile muscles — leaving Sunderland unsure on whether to stick or twist with him. In truth, from half that age he’d been in a battle to advance at the Academy of Light.
“Smaller and skinnier” than the other young hopefuls, as its manager Ged McNamee recalled in 2011, Henderson always had to dig deeper, to show more. Not that it’s ever been issue. “Anybody who knows Jordan will tell you that he’s just an absolutely smashing lad, and anyone who’s seen him play will tell you he’s got bags of natural ability and a strong work ethic,” said McNamee. “He will always keep going and will always give you 100 per cent.”
There are those who will choose to focus on a campaign to get him on the cover of FIFA 16 — again, something he was contractually requested to be involved in — over his persistence and commitment to realising his aspirations despite multiple deterrents. I’m happily not in that crowd. I fall at the feet of those who give more, instead of giving up. I’m having that any every day of the week.
Joey Barton can have a go all he wants, Alex Ferguson too, but Jordan doesn’t flinch.
Rewind again — this time to August 2012. Henderson was reduced to swap material as Liverpool sweated to pull in Clint Dempsey from Fulham. No, absolutely no. The policeman’s son was not about to jail his ambitions before giving himself every chance to succeed. “It wasn’t a nice thing to hear. I didn’t want to go anywhere,” he told the Guardian. “I wasn’t playing regularly and they gave me the option if I wanted to go. I told them: ‘No, I don’t want to, I want to keep fighting for my place.’ I came to Liverpool wanting to stay here for the rest of my career. I certainly didn’t want to leave after a year.”
We’ve heard the words ‘stay and fight for my place’ so often, that it is just viewed as an empty, automatic response to a standard, expected question. Not in Henderson’s case. He spent every spare minute at Melwood working with the performance analysts to identify areas of his game that needed improving (he also quizzed a Liverpool Echo journalist about what fans perceived as being weaknesses in his game) and worked on them during extra training sessions.
Like most, Brendan Rodgers was unconvinced at first with the 25-year-old, but was bowled over by his insistence on improving. “He’s a sponge who never tires of soaking up information and different experiences,” said the manager. “He wants to learn. He wants to get better and be complete.”
Even when he become an obvious name in the starting XI, Henderson continued to push himself beyond requirement, so much so that along with Luis Suarez, he had to be instructed to slow down.
Head of Performance Glen Driscoll explained: “What Henderson and Suarez have in common is we believe they are two players who need protecting from themselves. They would take the option of not recovering if we gave it to them and work every day between games. You have to admire their work ethic and desire.”
It’s not just his own progress that drives Henderson. He will unselfishly operate in any position the team needs him to, without whining away about his preference. He understands something too many never will — what the club needs will always outweigh what he wants.
When the England international was suspended for three of the final four games of the 2013-14 season as Liverpool tussled with Manchester City for the Premier League title, he assumed all media and appearance responsibilities so his teammates could concentrate on nothing else but the outstanding fixtures. He was not prompted to do so, and neither did he want anyone knowing about his act.
There is perhaps one notable blemish against the man from Wearside — the penalty debacle with Mario Balotelli in the 1-0 home victory against Besiktas. On the board in the dressing room, Henderson was down for spot-kick duty, but the Italian was informed upon joining the club that if he was on the pitch when Steven Gerrard wasn’t, he’d be tasked with those matters. Balo was subbed on with 63 minutes on the clock, and then with just five left, the referee pointed to the spot. We all remember what happened.
Henderson wanted it, felt he was in charge of it. Balotelli wanted it, felt he was in charge of it. Now, some feel that Mario disrespected Jordan and in part — sure, but he was following the instruction he’d been given. Do we ‘minus points’ from Henderson for failing to show more authority over someone who even Jose Mourinho struggled to straighten?
Then, the immediate aftermath is often ignored — the way Hendo navigated the post-match interview was as flawless as Beyonce. “I think Jordan has handled the situation very well,” said Gerrard, sat in the ITV studios at the time. “Jordan walked away at the right moment and handled his interview very well.”
On several occasions, Stevie has endorsed Henderson as his choice to hand over the armband to. “I certainly believe Jordan has everything you need to be a great captain,” he told the Echo. “He’s a fantastic professional who tries to lead by example in every training session and in every game. He has really grown as a player and is improving all the time with experience.
“I’ve got great respect for Jordan Henderson and I know everyone else at the club feels the same. He’s a true professional and a very strong character. Every day he’s in the gym doing extra work. He doesn’t drink and he looks after himself. He has made a lot of sacrifices to play well for this club.”
Within the walls of Melwood, Henderson is both a popular and applauded figure. You could search as deep and direct as his stare down with Diego Costa, but you’d be unsuccessful in finding disapproval from anyone at the club about “an ultimate professional, a real unselfish player, who sacrifices himself for the sake of the team.”
There will be those who just genuinely don’t see it, or get it, or believe in it — and that’s okay.
But there are some who don’t see him as captain because he’s not Stevie G. Many can’t get past their early reservations of him and would still rather be right about their misgivings, than wrong about him.
A group called for the rock-of-roll of Emre Can to be skipper after he’d started less than 10 games for the club. Plenty fancy Mamadou Sakho, who is an excellent character and leader, but has missed 43 matches for Liverpool in two seasons. There were shouts for James Milner to get the nod before he had even officially become an employee of the club. The article in the Guardian a few days ago, which suggested Raheem Sterling should lead the side, looks more and more like the Britney Spears shaved hair episode of 2007 — WHERE’S YOUR HEAD AT?!
The questions will never go away. I know that. You know that. And most especially, he knows that. The captain’s been providing answers since the age of eight though, and I don’t think that’s about to stop.
The captain. My captain. Your captain. Liverpool’s captain.
Jordan Henderson will only ever be Jordan Henderson. The sooner you stop picking on what he’s not and appreciate what he is, the quicker you’ll see that the skipper’s sound.
Dead sound.
Want to win a Liverpool shirt signed by the new Liverpool captain? EA Sports have given us a signed Jordan Henderson LFC shirt to give away to celebrate being made Liverpool captain and the race to appear on the UK version of FIFA 16.
We will be giving the shirt away at random to a TAW subscriber on The Anfield Wrap podcast on Monday, July 13. For a chance to win you need to be signed up by midnight on Sunday.
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Good read that Melissa!
I can’t get over the fans who would rather be right about their misgivings!
Hendo is a captain in his own right!
And we don’t need to compare.
He’s sound, dead sound!
Will improve and grow into the role as well.
I honestly don’t think Iv’e read a better written and more accurate article in a really long time, absolutely spot on. Jordan has made such a turnaround to his Anfield career and the behind the scenes of it all makes it even more remarkable. I was a doubter at first like most but now I can’t see anyone else I’d rather see succeeding Steven and not by default. I think he’s becoming a real figure now in his game and as a person. I’m glad more and more people come to see sense about him but like you said, the questions will never go away but haters will be haters. He became such an inspirational role model for me personally, I look up to him a lot. A great person and player.
Thanx for this article
Great article. There are some slight reservations from my side (not Nivea/FIFA related, though I do think that’s a bit tacky but as you say, probably a contract thing and nothing like a dealbreaker) but I’m right behind this.
He’s our captain. Get behind him, roar him on, make him feel 10ft tall and I think he’ll find that extra edge to become. at the very least, a very good Liverpool captain. The rough potential is definitely there.
Brilliant article Melissa.
Probably one of the few, who has kept his mouth shut and gone about his job. Like him or not, he has definitely proven everyone wrong.
I still can’t forget that Tottenham performance, the goals, that back-heel to Flanno, that celebration. He was a man possessed. To many more of those!
The captain. My captain. Your captain. Liverpool’s captain.
Dead sound.
Great this. Spot on.
Brendan Rodgers tried to make Henderson, then 22, part of a swap deal for Clint Dempsey, then 29. Please think about that for longer than 2 seconds and realise what a menace we have as our manager. Out of all the shite Rodgers has signed (Lovren) and the shite he wanted to sign but couldn’t (Sigurdsson) this by far shows Rodgers ability in judging players. If you didn’t laugh you’d cry.
“Like most, Brendan Rodgers was unconvinced at first with the 25-year-old”
Wrong. Rodgers was convinced. Convinced Henderson couldn’t cut it. That’s why he tried to get rid. It isn’t that he was unsure or couldn’t make up his mind – you are covering for Rodgers again, a common theme in your articles, as all his apologists do. He was sure Henderson wouldn’t be good enough for LFC. And as is Rodgers’ wont, he was wrong. But you won’t say that explicitly will you as you know anyone who wanted to replace an improving Henderson with an aging Dempsey is automatically a moron.
And who is this “most” please? Most people in football? That why we paid so much for him? That why Sunderland were desperate to keep him? “Most” fans I spoke to felt like me in his first years at Anfield – he was played out of position and he lacked confidence. When he was played in centre mid for a run of games his confidence would return and he’d show himself a quality player. And so it proved.
And yet, as example 439 of Rodgers’ not learning from past mistakes, Hendo was played right wing back a lot last season and suffered for it. His progress has been stifled from such nonsense. He should be the best box to box centre mid in the EPL but isn’t because of his manager.
Everything Henderson has achieved and battled through since being a Liverpool footballer has been in spite of Rodgers (and Kenny for that matter) not because of Rodgers. Jordan is a credit to himself and his family. Pity he won’t be lifting any silverware until his boss is removed (December by my reckoning).
I recommend you stop shaking your fist at the moon and watch LFCTV’s “60 Minutes with Henderson” and see what Henderson has to say about Rodgers.
Well done on making this article about Brendan Rodgers.
After telling Henderson he had other options available to consider in Aug 2012, which would have guaranteed the midfielder regular starts and then with Jordan declining that choice – do you know what BR did? He told him he’ll improve him as a player and then dug out videos and sat with him and the analysts to work on aspects of his game. Everything from timing of his runs to pressing intelligently to using his energy to his advantage.
JH on BR: “He’s been huge for me, both personally and for my career. On the pitch, he has sharpened me tactically, and off it, he’s helped me so much. He was so good to me and my family when my dad was having surgery and he doesn’t just manage players in a football sense, it’s more than that. Even when it comes to things like leadership abilities, he’s quick to spot it and work with you on improving.”
Suarez on Hendo: “In Jordan’s case, the proof came last season. Jordan had changed so much. To start with, maybe he wanted to do too much at once, but he is intelligent and he learned with Brendan in the first year even if he didn’t play much. You watched him the following season and he was playing the passes when he saw them. He was taking his time, he was calmer, cleverer. He learned to understand the movements of Daniel [Sturridge] and me more too, while the shift to a one-touch game suited him. He also rebelled against the critics; maybe they brought out a part of his character that we didn’t know he had. Brendan changed him; he changed us all.”
Don’t let Jordan, Suarez, me or anyone else stop you with your poison towards the manager though.
Have a ball, go wild…
That the same Suarez who loved working with Rodgers so much he couldn’t wait to get out the door two summers running? Yea?
Love how you use quotes like those as they suit your agenda. I can do that too. Here, try these:
“With Brendan Rodgers, there was a lot going on. What he was saying to me and what was actually happening were different things. He was telling me one thing to my face, then I’d leave the training ground and he would ring me and tell me a completely different thing.
“He would say: ‘You’re going to play every week, you’re going to play every game up front with [Luis] Suarez. I’d leave and get home and he would ring me and say: ‘Fulham and West Ham want you and I think it’s best you should go.’
“I would go back and see him and he would say the opposite again. It was the same thing round and round and round. On phone calls, it was: ‘I think you should go.’ To my face it was: ‘You’ll start every week’.
“It was mixed messages. He was messing with my head. I lost respect for him to be honest.”
“It was just messing me about”
“I was angry. I knew it was time to go. I thought I just want to play football. I didn’t need this.
“If he had said straightaway I wasn’t going to play, I’d have said fair enough, you’re a new manager, it’s your decision. You didn’t sign me, fair enough.
“If the manager is treating me like this, I thought there is no reason for me to be at Liverpool.”
See how easy that is? Or do they not count because the player in question was no longer under Rodgers when he said it? Then again, thats usually when the truth comes out, isn’t it? I mean, Hendo is hardly going to come out and say “Rodgers is a fraud who plays me out of position and I hate it,” is he?
You write and act as if last season didn’t happen. As if he wasn’t exposed for the bullshitter he is, changing tactics and formations every two minutes, throwing shit at a wall hoping some would stick because he doesn’t have the answers. As if many players didn’t down tools on him. As if he never retreated into his shell under pressure. As if he couldn’t wait to shift the blame elsewhere when things were going wrong (Balotelli) and as if he couldn’t wait to take the credit when things were going ok (“must be that new defensive coach” – Hi Brendan, we conceded 48)
It is no coincidence we have a bottler as a manager and a team with no bottle. If Rodgers had anything about him he wouldn’t run scared of personalities in the dressing room. He wouldn’t be worried about people questioning him. Rafa encouraged it. This results in leaders. Maybe then we would have more candidates to take over from Gerrard as skipper.
If Rodgers had what it took to succeed, Sakho would be his captain and the likes of Pascoe and O’Driscoll would not be his appointments as his number 2. As much as I like Hendo as a player, he doesn’t do enough when we’re struggling. And under Rodgers we have (and will continue to) struggled a lot. But no. Sakho opens his mouth and despite performances Rodgers spunks £20m on Lovren to force him out. How’d that work out for LFC Melissa?
Can’t wait til I read your articles after Rodgers has been sacked for not being good enough. Your excuses for his failure will be interesting, although there will of course be a massively positive slant on it in favour of the departed. I’m guessing that it won’t have been his fault and get in your usual highly unoriginal and most laughable dig at “twitter” and LFC fans who have the ability to see him for what he is (an ability you clearly lack).
Your schilling for Rodgers is a tad sickening in truth. Sad thing is you won’t see it as wrong or be remotely embarrassed by it even when Rodgers inevitably fails this season. And you attack anyone with legitimate criticisms of Rodgers. Insecure much?
Stoke 6-1 Liverpool. Thats what was poison. Lets talk in December when we’re 8th and Rodgers has been sacked. Then you can tell me all about that doesn’t matter and how I (and many others like me) was wrong and you were right.
It’s like Chris Mc never left…
Jesus! I thought exactly the same thing last night. In fact, I’ve thought it for a week or two but reading the above tipped the balance.
Me too
“And you attack anyone with legitimate criticisms of Rodgers.”
That’s a bit rich isn’t it? You seem to attack anyone who has anything positive to say about Rodgers.
I have always been and remain sceptical that Brendan is up to the task but the article wasn’t about him. It was about Henderson and of all the bile you’ve written, only a few lines mentioned it. Time to chill out I reckon.
The chance exists that Henderson could be a better leader than Gerrard. Practically no chance he is a better player, but the example leadership Henderson brings and where he sets the bar for every day effort…well, I doubt you’re going to find better. And what I think more than anything you saw in the Costa “incident” was that he was a presence, but he kept his head — and I’m not sure Gerrard always did that too well.
And he’s got the story to go with it of how he could have left as a struggling young player but the effort he gave every day eventually paid off.
It’s either Rodgers fault or in spite of him, no matter the subject…
Positive and insightful article supporting what I at least feel about JH. I’m excited about having one of the potentially hardest working midfields in the premiership and having an honest, focused and capable lad wearing the armband.
Fuck right off and do one Leanne. You probably blame your miserable life and its existence on Rodgers too.
So from reading my opinion on Rodgers you have somehow deducted that I have a miserable life….intelligence isn’t your strong suit is it?
What possible link is there? If I thought Rodgers was brilliant would that mean by life was fantastic?
You are a moron I’m afraid and have put that on show.
Your general attitude is that of a miserable curmudgeon, so it’s not a huge leap.
Ugh, you are just the worst. I can’t even.
Ad hominem – quickest way to (a) show the world what a dopey fucker you are and (b) lose the argument
Thanks for coming
“I can’t even” is not showing how dopey I am. It is my surrendering to the fact that there’s no reasoning with somebody as unreasonable as you. This is a feel-good, well-written story by Melissa, and you can’t just let Hendo have his moment in the sun. You’re like one of those political pundits that tries to spin every little story to fit their narrative. And your narrative is so glaringly anti-BR that it precludes you from even being able to comment on an article on here without going down that road. Feel how you want about BR, but making non-BR-centric stories all about how much you hate BR is tiresome. Maybe you are not the worst, but your comments sure are. There’s a good general rule is that if you’re the one constantly having to defend yourself from people implying you’re an a-hole, then you are the a-hole. Don’t confuse your long-winded comments for intelligence Leanne, it’s just a higher volume of nonsensical bullshit. Your attitude is constantly aggressive and confrontational. I’m not going to enter into a debate with someone who has shown themselves as unreasonable and as stubborn as yourself. Hence, “I can’t even.”
Fucking Boom! That sir, was fantastic
Rodgers was so convinced that he decided to keep him and make him an integral part of the team, now captain……
Good point!
What he is:
Someone who looked great when we were flying.
Someone who is non-existent when we’re not.
He goes missing in games way too often. He not a drag the team across the line player. He’s a first across the line when we’re winning player.
We’ve signed the original and better version of Henderson. I think the notion that Milner and Henderson will play together for more than 4 months is a fallacy. They are far too similar. They are both very one dimensional. That doesn’t mean they aren’t good at what they do. But you only need one. Now Milner is a Liverpool, he’s much preferred. I’d be surprised if he’s still a regular after Christmas. Captain? Not for me.
I’m intrigued. Who would your captain be, mate? The choices are listed in the article.
My choice would be Coutinho.
Not because he’s the best player in the squad. Although that is a bonus.
Coutinho is our most intelligent footballer. He was responsible for iniciating a spell of probably the best football in Europe last season. He took it upon himself to orchestrate the players around him and was central to everything positive. Not just with his play. I’ve been insulted for suggesting he is one of the most vocal in the squad. If you actually watch him, he is, second to Mignolet. But he doesn’t shout. He has words in ears. He constantly gestures. He moves players around. A lot of his running is done for those words in ears.
Coutinho has the most ‘needle’ in the squad too. Actual needle, which doesn’t just consist of squaring up like a petulant teenager. He has wit. He winds the opposition up, but he does it with intelligence, humour and a level head. Most of all, he’s convincing.
I see more Liverpool culture and understanding in Coutinho than any other player. Yes, he’s our best player and should concentrate on being that, but he should also be central to everything we do. He could go on to becoming a legend. A legendary captain. Keep him by making him skipper and the future of LFC is better.
It’s a complete fallacy that you need an English player who has reinvented himself as some sort of street brawler as captain. Henderson, a Liverpool legend? I don’t think he’ll even be a regular in 6 months when everyone finally realises Milner and Henderson is far too one dimensional. The only player who I’d pick over Henderson in the Premier League to carry water is now a Liverpool player.
Coutinho is an intelligent choice.
Henderson is a bit primitive.
Interesting choice. I couldn’t disagree more but there’s no right or wrong answers, just opinions.
My first point would be, taking potential captain’s attributes out of this, will Henderson be at the club in 5 years? Will Coutinho? We’re seeing a pattern now i.e. Alonso, Mascherano, Torres, Suarez and now Sterling where Liverpool’s best players move on. Coutinho is getting to that stage. If he has another season where he plays to his potential plus continues to advance with the Brazil team then I’ll be worried. The only hope for me, in regards to us keeping him would be down to his unassuming personality and perhaps a desire to feel settled somewhere. I can say for sure that Henderson will be with us in 5 years and 10 years because that’s what he aspires too. In all honesty, I can’t see Coutinho being with us in 2.
On the attributes of a captain – I think the fact that Coutinho speaks to people one on one says a lot to me. The role of a captain is much more than just whispering sweet nothings in someone’s ear. Coutinho’s a lovely lad but if anything he’s too nice to be captain. He’s too quiet. I don’t think the added responsibility would suit him, it’d be detrimental to his game. I don’t even think he’d want the armband. A team is made up of different attributes and Coutinho’s intelligence doesn’t qualify him as a captain. A captain needs to be a leader both on and off the field. To suggest he’s more vocal than Henderson is an outrageous claim. Simon ‘the mouse’ Mignolet has become more vocal too but it’s not been a natural thing for him. Maybe Henderson needed prompting too but he’s certainly got it now.
Henderson has all the attributes of a captain for me. Aside from listing why, we only have to look to last season. We did far better under Henderson’s captaincy than Gerrards. He displayed ALL the attributes you’d want from a captain. Melissa has listed those but to choose someone who doesn’t appear to have many attributes of a captain over someone who’s proven he does is just folly.
I’m trying hard to bite my lip here but to suggest Henderson is just a water carrier makes me wanna fly into a rage. Yes, he works hard but his all round game is exceptional (ok, I think we need to relieve him of all free kick duties and I’d like to see him continue his shooting practice by occasionally putting his laces through it rather than curling every shot). After the Man City game in April 14 I celebrated wildly like everyone else but as the evening wore on I could only think about Henderson. I told all my ecstatic friends that the red could well cost us the league and though up for debate, I believe it did. Rodgers certainly knows more than us and he thinks so to.
I don’t know enough about football to list Henderson’s attributes but what I definitely know is who is good for Liverpool and who isn’t. I think we’re seeing a player who’s improving hugely year on year. When he first came I saw a player who worked hard, broke up the opposition play and with his speed of finding a pass, got us moving again even if it was just a 5 or 10 yard ball to someone in space. In 13/14 I saw him add the defence splitting pass from midfield to his game. Suarez scored loads from that ball. Last season we saw him add that clipped ball from the side in behind the oppositions last man. That kind of ball is a strikers dream. It’s undefendable. We’ve seen variations of it i.e the lofted ball onto Sturridges head against Burnley. We’ve seen him convert more of his chances and score sublime goals (City being the obvious). We’ve seen his character on the pitch increase ten fold too yet some Liverpool fans still can’t see it and say ‘yeah he works hard but that’s about it’. I’ve got a saying, everyone is entitled to their opinions but some opinions are just shit.
If Melissa still reads the comments on this thread I’d like to ask a question that I don’t think anyone could answer better.
Do you think Coutinho will go the way of the others i.e Barca or Real or do you think there’s something in his personality that may make him turn his nose up at their advances and stay with us?
Maybe making him captain would a way of insuring he is here in 5 and brings him out a bit. He’s conscience of his accent, which is as hard to understand as Jordan’s.
Haha, true.
I said this when mignolet said ‘but I’m only 26’. We’re not a yts scheme for aspiring keepers or to bring people out of their shells. I hate to say this because I appear to constantly say the club is small which I don’t believe but for a lad from Brazil is unlikely to sacrifice a shot with barca or Real for the Liverpool armband. I’m just cynical like that. Maybe Coutinho is different to your average player. Or maybe I just wanna believe he is. My mates just reminded me I said sterling would sign a new deal after the stand off in November or whenever it was. The main thing for me though is he’s not captain material. Doesn’t come close to Henderson in that vote imo.
Agree with everything regarding your post on Hendo & I can’t see Courthino going as early as you seem to suspect as I reckon the whole Inter experience scarred him & we are not getting him pals from Brazil to play with !!!
Interesting that he had a hand in the Firminio deal,
Top player/Recruiter is our wee Phil.
Coutinho would be a terrible choice, great player but anything but a leader. He is more focussed on the moment than the game as a whole and is quiet as a mouse. Nothing wrong with this per se but not leadership material.
But is that effect or cause? I would say that a lot of the times we were struggling were when Henderson was too focussed on dropping in next to Gerrard to help him out and not getting on the front foot.
Rodgers’ teams are all about flexibility and being able to interchange positions (total football if you will) so having multiple “generalist” players who can perform a number of roles is a plus not a negative. This is one of the main reasons he never goes for a specialist holding midfielder in my opinion.
Great article Melissa, interesting to see the SH and Luis comments too. SH in unfairly pilloried because of his running style and because he is not a media face or married to some reality star (as far as I know!). He’s about as close as we get these days to ‘on of us’ or a ‘normal person’, a’la Stevie, Carra, John Terry and James Milner.
A deep midfield of SH and either James Milner or Emre Can seems quite exciting – hard working, flexible and dynamic. Equally as good defensively as going forward or play making. Plenty of potential goals and assists.
I would hope for a reversion to a back 4, but a team of
Mignolet,
Clyne, Sakho, Sktel (or maybe Lovren if last year turns out to be about settling in), Moreno,
Henderson, Can/Milner,
Firmino, Coutinho, Origi
Sturridge with Ibe, Ings, Markovic, Milner/Can Lovren/Skrtel, Bogdan on the bench seems quite solid to me. Add in Lucas, Wisdom, Llori +please please an attacker, the emerging kids etc and I’m almost quite optimistic
Raheem who?
Those 3 SH’s should be JH’s!
The staring down of Costa was a big plus point for Jordan. It goes some way to showing that he has a gritty side to him and is not just a “nice boy”.
To fulfil his role of captain though he needs to be first on the teamsheet. Irreplaceable almost. And I think he has some way to go on that score.
However, as things stand, I’m not sure we have a better replacement. It will be interesting to see who gets vice captain.
So, good luck JH. Win many matches and many trophies.
The only replacement for Henderson was Milner. Now Milner is a Liverpool player.
Great article, great captain! He’s a beast.
Love this Melissa!
If that first season under Kenny didn’t exist, I’m sure he wouldnt have 20% of the fanbase consistently banging on about how is isn’t good enough. People just can’t get over being proved wrong when they rung his neck in 1112.
Go on Jordan lad!!
Ain’t that the truth. like ‘played out of position- all frigging year’ has no meaning for some people.
I’m hoping Markovic will benefit from similar treatment.
Wonderful stuff Melissa!
He’s big, he’s red, made Costa sh*t the bed. Henderson.
He gets flung about like a rag doll by the bruise boys.If its a Rourke’s Drift desperate rearguard action required don’t look for Henderson to muster it – he won’t be there
Ya because every player in there early 20’s shine in those situations,
As he matures I’ve no doubt he will become one of those lads “you want in the trenches” at “Rourkes drift”
I’m absolutely delighted. If the crop that we have he is undoubtedly the hardest working. Besides maybe Raheem he’s also the most improved. I don’t like people that jump on the bandwagon and say they called it..but since he came I’ve said he’ll have a big roll. He never stops, whether that be running, learning, or simply just fighting for the team.
Great choice. Onwards and upwards. In the remixed words of 2013/14 “We’re gonna win the league, we’re gonna win the league, and Hendo is going to make us believe”
I have no beef with JH as captain. Althugh I think the best candidate would be Lucas, he is still apparently unwanted and again slated for sale.
Hendo is a limited player, but footballing skills are not paramount when the chips are down. Leadership needs more than playing ability. I never rated SG as captain, despite my thinking he is probably out best ever player. I think he is too introverted. Carra was the true skipper, the ‘gee-er upper’ when spirits were down. Hendo has it in him to be that. You don’t always need to lead by example.
Obviously I don’t know Kevin but my interpretation is that the club want to keep Lucas but he’s hinted he’d like a change. Whether that’s changed since he got a first team place back we can’t know but I’d guess it hasn’t. If someone said to me today do you want to go and live in say Napoli I’d be like, err yeah, I do actually. Thanks. I think that kind of thing plays a bigger part than people think especially for someone from a sunny climate. If that were true then it rules him out of the captaincy.
Italy, yes. Naples, no.
I don’t know the background to Lucas either, but no player at the club is more ‘us’ than him. He has a strength of character that I find really impressive, and I put the blossoming of Coutino down to his mentoring rather than the fatuous mystical Rodgers’ skills with youth. Shunting them off to loan deals is not development. But then, I
blame Rodgers for global warming…
Robin, any links for the line about Lucas ‘hinting’ he wants to go.
I’ve never heard the man agitate or intimate moving away from Liverpool even after all the rubbish he’s been through. Not calling you out here, just genuinely have never seen it!?? Cheers
No problem, you’re welcome!
I don’t really like to make strong assumptions on the back of reading snippets in newspapers but I think it’s fairly common knowledge Lucas fancies a change (or more accurately, wants to play regularly – though my wild speculation would say that’s the easiest card to play for a smooth farewell). Apologies for posting this link from a low quality paper but it’s the first one I found that had both Lucas’s and his agents quotes from the time (Nov 14). They were timed for the January window and when the window came there were strong links with Inter. At the time though, Liverpool’s circumstances changed meaning we absolutely couldn’t let him go. That was a result of Lucas wanting out and not the club wanting rid. It’s been going on every window for years and may even pop up again this summer. I think the difference this year would be that Liverpool would be more inclined to let him go now. I think, experience aside, there’s an argument for ‘could we get better or could we get someone likely to play more, or both’. I think so. As I’ve said, I still feel Lucas will want new pastures in either Spain or Italy but that’s based on my human instinct rather than anything I’ve read combined with Liverpool about to offer Allen a new deal. Either way, offering him the vice captain would be complete madness.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2844040/Liverpool-outcast-Lucas-Leiva-set-exit-Rafa-Benitez-s-Napoli-chasing.html
cheers Robin, appreciated
I also figured Lucas/Sakho/Skrtl would be in front of Henderson. While Hendersons work rate isn’t in doubt I just don’t see him as a leader or maybe the correct term would be “authoritative”. But all in all I have no issue. I read somewhere that Lucas simply wanted more playing time which is why he was keen on Inter (I think it was Inter, not certain).
Wonderfully written. Could have read another two pages of it. I always knew Jordan is a strong character with right attitude. And character is not something you can teach on the training ground. Superb professional and he is just going to get better. YNWA
My favorite moment is from a game I can’t remember. We were ahead but it was tight. In the closing moments, Gerrard goes for another goal and Henderson gives him stick for not playing the ball into the corner to see the game out.
Anyone know which game that was?
West Brom at Anfield last year?
Yeeeeesssss!!!!
Thank you so much! It had been killing me!
That penalty incident with Balotelli made me so mad…
…at Steven Gerrard. He forgot his place. He sounded like he was checked out from the club.
I thought Henderson handled it all perfectly, and actually so did Balotelli. He’s one of the best penalty takers in the world. That had to be his ball.
Should’ve been Lucas
He won’t play every game will he?
Probably not though I think he should. Lucas is captain material by a long nautical mile, but hey them’s the breaks. I wonder if we are looking to offload Lucas as per last year offseason ( which I again think would be mental, as it was last year)
Lucas is definitely a leader, but misses too many games (injuries/selection) to be made captain without even tackling the possibility that he could move on. Think it’s great that LFC have quite a few players (him, Sakho, Milner…) who can help lead – not having the armband doesn’t diminish those abilities…
Also, at 28 and with LFC looking more long term, think Hendo is a smarter choice.
The thing that leaves me wishing for a bit more is how people always cite his work rate but can’t go much further than that. There are a lot of people who work hard but stay stuck at lower level because there are characteristics they just don’t have.
That said, I have no clue what Hendersons like on the training ground or in the dressing, but on the field he really doesn’t seem as the type who has the authority over others or the mettle required, I don’t pay too much attention during games so i might be missing things.
Look at it this way, when last season started there weren’t many who would’ve been thinking Henderson is gonna be the captain next season. Its an idea most are warming to, could do far worse really and who’s to say he won’t grow into an outstanding leader now that the responsibility has been placed upon him? I’ve warmed up to the idea even more while writing this.
Great article Melissa.
Henderson is certainly the best option for captain as far as I am concerned.
He is already one of the most vocal and demonstrative players. He is in the ear of the ref a lot and as skipper he will carry more authority when he does that. He clearly has an appetite to learn the tactical side of the game, and it has usually been Henderson who Rodgers will call over to get his message on to the pitch when something needs tweaking during the game.
I couldn’t care less what the doubters say. I,m over the moon that Henderson is the new skipper. I’ve liked him since the day he walked in door.
Play out of position to help the team Jordan?
No problem.
Fil in at fullback for us Jordan?
No problem.
Help us out by going to Fulham Jordan?
No. I think I can make it here. Show me what I need to do to make it here and I’ll do it.
Sacrifice your game to be a water carrier for an ageing club legend Jordan.
Yep, ok. I’ll run the miles he can’t.
This lad will be a fine captain and his game will come on in leaps and bounds now that he doesn’t have to do the defensive work of two men.
My choice would be Coutinho.
Not because he’s the best player in the squad. Although that is a bonus.
Coutinho is our most intelligent footballer. He was responsible for iniciating a spell of probably the best football in Europe last season. He took it upon himself to orchestrate the players around him and was central to everything positive. Not just with his play. I’ve been insulted for suggesting he is one of the most vocal in the squad. If you actually watch him, he is, second to Mignolet. But he doesn’t shout. He has words in ears. He constantly gestures. He moves players around. A lot of his running is done for those words in ears.
Coutinho has the most ‘needle’ in the squad too. Actual needle, which doesn’t just consist of squaring up like a petulant teenager. He has wit. He winds the opposition up, but he does it with intelligence, humour and a level head. Most of all, he’s convincing.
I see more Liverpool culture and understanding in Coutinho than any other player. Yes, he’s our best player and should concentrate on being that, but he should also be central to everything we do. He could go on to becoming a legend. A legendary captain. Keep him by making him skipper and the future of LFC is better.
It’s a complete fallacy that you need an English player who has reinvented himself as some sort of street brawler as captain. Henderson, a Liverpool legend? I don’t think he’ll even be a regular in 6 months when everyone finally realises Milner and Henderson is far too one dimensional. The only player who I’d pick over Henderson in the Premier League to carry water is now a Liverpool player.
Coutinho is an intelligent choice.
Henderson is a bit primitive.
The staring down of Costa means absolutely nothing. Well done for winning a starring competition, Jordan. It could just of easily have been Lovren.
Not paling into insignificance and being able to cope when played alongside a real captain would have meant a lot more! That was Steven’s fault though. Obviously.
Steven was never a real captain. He was many things, most of them special, but not a great captain. How often did you see him directing the play, putting his arms around a young players shoulders, getting in the ref’s ear, making the right choice to take the sting out of the game, etc… I think Henderson has a lot to learn in these areas but I’m sure he will do his best to step up to it
I think he did all those things. Probably about 12 hours a day.
Exceptional piece Melissa! You’re making all of us Reds in South Africa very proud.