JORDAN Henderson must wonder sometimes just what it is he has to do to receive a positive reaction from some “supporters”.
For some, the mere mention of his name prompts overreaction and negativity, regardless of context. Everything involving the Sunderland-born Liverpool captain is viewed through a prism of anger, it seems.
Take the news that with Virgil van Dijk suspended, and Dejan Lovren and Joe Gomez injured, the skipper could stand in as an emergency centre back against Bayern Munich.
In no-one’s world is that the ideal situation, not least Jordan Henderson’s. But given the situation, what is the alternative?
Further, the fact Jurgen Klopp is seemingly set to turn to the 28-year-old for such an important match in such an important position is surely a message in itself. He trusts him. He rates him. And he knows he can get the job done.
Klopp found himself in a similar predicament for the Premier League match with Leicester City at Anfield. He could have opted to blood 18-year-old Rafael Camacho at right back with Trent Alexander-Arnold and James Milner unavailable and Nathaniel Clyne allowed to leave on loan to Bournemouth. Instead, he turned to Henderson.
“Of course we thought about Rafa Camacho as well,” Klopp explained. “He played in training because Hendo couldn’t train all week, but in the end I made the decision for the more defensive, experienced player in that position.”
And yet, despite that experience – it’s 306 appearances for Liverpool now – and despite the armband, he’s into his fourth year as club captain, and despite the new contract he signed in September, still the haters hate, mock and moan.
There is a strong argument to say he should command more respect. Inheriting the armband from a club legend in Steven Gerrard didn’t help. But to continue to peddle the line that it’s an aberration that he ever leads the team simply doesn’t stand up.
Jordan Henderson.. injured alot, below average technique, vision as far as his nose, no idea on position in midfield, overhit passes to players next to him, cannot tackle cannot head cannot shoot, 2 goals in 3 seasons, no assists, CAPTAIN..STUFF OF LEGENDS
— cAs (@cas6688) January 14, 2019
The Anfield Wrap carried out an interview with Jamie Carragher some time back in which he was refreshingly honest about how playing and competing at the top level for so long affected him mentally.
Losing hurt, he said. Everything was mulled over, he revealed. And he was more than aware about what everyone was saying about him. Further, he said, every summer felt like a new challenge – to reestablish yourself, to fight off the threat of new signings, to just stay around, play regularly and prove to be relevant, ultimately.
Similar thoughts must surely have ran through Henderson’s mind at various points of his Liverpool career since arriving from Sunderland for £16million in the summer of 2011. And perhaps the easy thing to do was leave.
He was infamously told he was a bargaining chip in a proposed deal for Fulham’s Clint Dempsey but he stayed and battled on. And, according to Brendan Rodgers at least, he was considering his future at the club around 2015.
And maybe, just maybe, appreciation, or lack of, came into his thinking. Henderson, after all, had played a big part in Liverpool’s title push of 2013-14, tirelessly grafting away in midfield despite knowing his father was battling cancer at the time.
As Rodgers said: “What is often overlooked in the season we narrowly missed out on the title is how much we missed Jordan in the game against Chelsea. He was sent off in the previous match at Anfield against Manchester City in injury time. It was so unfortunate. His physical influence – the pressing he brought to that team – was really missed.”
Klopp, too, has praised Henderson over and over, to the point of appearing exasperated at the constant questioning of the player.
To compare with Klopp – Gini & Henderson focused on pressing but whilst ensuring that forward passing lanes are blocked. The objective is to win the ball or force the opponent back. pic.twitter.com/3OEC1NKi09
— Josh Williams (@DistanceCovered) February 12, 2019
“Please, convey the message,” Klopp said to reporters after Liverpool beat Huddersfield 3-0 at the end of January in 2018. “Jordan Henderson is a very good footballer. He’s an England national team player and our skipper. If somebody doesn’t see his value, what can I do? Do you think after what I said now, that they will see his value? I’m not sure. I’m very happy that he’s back, you can write that!”
Another time he fumed: “Even a captain can't play all the time. I knew people would say 'good result, Jordan didn't play' and make shit stories out of this. He's a really important player for us."
A similar narrative is surely not far away once again. While Liverpool pushed away the pressure talk and pressed reset on the building anxiety with a comfortable and confident display against Bournemouth, some pinpointed the absence of Henderson once again.
Midfielders Gini Wijnaldum, Naby Keita and Fabinho all performed well in his absence, as Henderson graciously recognised himself post-match.
| Jordan Henderson on Instagram.
We go again! pic.twitter.com/2cXV3czwrU
— Steven Gerrard (@Gerrard8FanPage) January 30, 2019
But while it meant the weird account on Twitter that posts highlight reels of his errors was left redundant for a weekend, did it really mean anything more?
The armband, the length of his contract and Klopp’s past words suggest there will still be a big role for the man the manager calls ‘the general’ to play, this season and beyond.
Because while football seemingly always demands change, the German in the hot-seat doesn’t quite see it that way. Earlier this year he said: "These 17-18 players plus the really young boys, that's the squad of the future. It should be like this. It's investment, the club gave us the opportunity to do it. Really nice.
"Progress is something that everybody should expect. The club gave us a fantastic opportunity to bring in outstanding players, to keep outstanding players. My job is to make sure we perform on the pitch.
"Where will we be in two or three years? I have no idea, but the age group is good. This season will not finish our development.
Inspiring stuff from Jordan Henderson this. ✊ #LFC #Captain pic.twitter.com/4BAYZqi4g6
— Siggee Stardust (@SiggeeStardust) February 7, 2019
"It doesn't look like we'll lose any key player (and) we build a new training ground, another step in the future."
That future will feature Jordan Henderson, whether he is loved by all or not. He is a key player, as his regular appearances in red over eight seasons show. And the immediate part of that future could see him playing at centre half.
While some will treat that sight like an escaped horse has run on to the pitch, you suspect Henderson will just crack on with the job at hand.
Like he always does.
