Once on the verge of leaving, being seen as an ordinary player, under a lot of pressure when compared to one of the team’s greatest legends, but Jordan Henderson overcame it all and built Building a strong legacy in Liverpool history.
Jordan Henderson may not be the captain with the most outstanding technical ability in Liverpool history, but his achievements have proven him to be one of the most successful captains in the history of the “Red Brigade”. Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, EFL Cup, Community Shield, UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup are all included in the England midfielder’s trophy collection. He is even the first captain in Liverpool history to lift the prestigious Premier League title.
To be at Liverpool for more than a decade, more than half of which as a captain, you must have both professional competence and a recognized reputation. To get that, there is no other way but effort and standards in every action. Merseyside is an outstanding land by the working class and Henderson is the embodiment of perseverance, the spirit of effort to the end of the workers. Even under constant suspicion, Henderson will prove to the end that he is worthy of trust.
After arriving at Liverpool from Sunderland as a young talent, there was a time when Henderson almost had to pack up and leave Anfield when the team intended to sell him to Fulham in exchange for Clint Dempsey. Telling this story, Hendo revealed he cried softly after talking with coach Brendan Rodgers. And then dry his tears, the guy in his twenties didn’t allow himself to be weak for too long. If his ability is questioned, he will prove himself worthy of wearing the great red shirt of Merseyside.
Henderson is lucky to play alongside and learn directly from an icon like Gerrard. Then when Stevie G left Liverpool, it was Hendo who was chosen to inherit the captain’s armband from his senior. Although the time when Hendo officially became the captain was expected when he was previously the vice-captain of the club, this is still an affirmation that his efforts have paid off. From someone who was on the verge of being sold to the club captain, it goes without saying that we understand how much the English midfielder has to work.
One of Henderson’s most important values is perhaps adaptability. Joining Liverpool as a promising right-winger for Sunderland, the Englishman was later used in various positions by Kenny Dalglish, Rodgers and Jurgen Klopp.
There were periods when he played in a holding midfielder, although not particularly excellent, but somewhat acceptable performance in the context of Liverpool lacking a true holding midfielder. When Fabinho appeared, Henderson was returned to the position of his forte shuttle midfielder and immediately he was an important link to help Klopp’s system, especially the right wing, operate effectively. In the 2020/2021 season, when Liverpool’s injury crisis in the central defender was such that Fabinho – who was pulled down by Klopp to fill this position but also got injured, Henderson was trusted to assign a difficult task and he played stably to defend as best as possible the goal of the “Red Brigade”.
Henderson does not mind any task as long as the team needs it, although it is not easy, and always shows that he is worthy of being the leader of the whole team. He inspires his teammates and always exhorts and encourages the comrades around him with his generous voice and inexhaustible energy.
But no matter what, when you inherit the responsibility from a great legend like Steven Gerrard, it is both luck and huge pressure. Gerrard was born in Liverpool, grew up in the club’s academy, possessed world-class talent in his prime and spent the best years of his career in the “Red Brigade”.
Meanwhile, Henderson comes from Sunderland and is not particularly appreciated in a capacity. Gerrard is a monument and his greatness once overshadowed Henderson’s career. Throughout a period, Gerrard has always been a reference to Henderson’s journey as Liverpool captain. No exaggeration, Hendo had to make extraordinary efforts to get rid of the invisible shadow from the elder.
Read what Steven Gerrard shared about Henderson in The Times on the day Liverpool won the Champions League in 2019: “When Jordan Henderson lifted the Champions League, my first emotion was pride. I am proud that Liverpool are back to the top of European football and I am especially proud of Jordan, because I know how hard he has worked. I know he had to make a lot of sacrifices and a lot of pressure and scrutiny.
If I had to name one most professional footballer, Jordan would be at the top of my list. His way of life is beyond reproach. He’s a great role model. He always forgets himself, puts himself behind the team. Those things are important but of course he is also a top player. He has tremendous energy, is reliable on the ball, has a good passing range and in pushing Liverpool forward.”
When Hendo joined Liverpool, Gerrard once promised the mother of the former Sunderland midfielder that he would take care of and tutor him so that he could integrate and develop in the “Red Brigade”. Therefore, Gerrard understands the pressure his juniors must receive, especially after he has left Anfield.
And as the years have passed, Henderson has made his family and Steven Gerrard proud, and Liverpool fans can be proud that they have a true leader.
