LONDON • Jordan Henderson has emerged as the unexpected driving force in Liverpool's midfield after persuading Jurgen Klopp to grant him the freedom to roam.
The Englishman has spent most of his career as an unsung support act for more glamorous team-mates with Liverpool and England.
But the 28-year-old has won Klopp's trust so completely that he goes into today's Champions League quarter-final second leg at Porto firmly established as one of the key components of Liverpool's push for a European Cup and Premier League double.
Ever since joining Liverpool from Sunderland in 2011, Henderson had struggled to silence the critics.
Former Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson once wrote in his autobiography that he opted not to sign Henderson because of the way he ran.
"We looked at Jordan Henderson a lot, but we noticed that he runs from his knees, with a straight back," Ferguson said.
"The modern footballer runs from his hips, and we thought this gait might cause him problems later in his career."
But the level-headed Henderson refused to be beaten down by Ferguson and others who wrote him off.
Impressing Klopp with his tactical discipline and relentless work ethic, Henderson has improved significantly since the German took charge at Anfield in 2015, earning the captain's armband.
But even with his place in Klopp's plans secure as a reliable defensive midfielder, Henderson remained restless for a bigger role in the team's attacking scheme.
Offered the chance to play in an advanced midfield berth during England's recent Euro 2020 qualifiers against the Czech Republic and Montenegro, Henderson showcased his versatility with two terrific performances.
Emboldened by those displays, Henderson made a beeline for Klopp's office on his return to Liverpool's Melwood training ground and made his case to be used in the same role with the Reds.
Intriguingly, Klopp decided to bow to Henderson's request and the results have been a revelation.
He scored his first goal in 18 months in Liverpool's 3-1 win at Southampton on April 6, delivered a dynamic show in the 2-0 Champions League first-leg victory over Porto three days layer and then set up Sadio Mane's opener in Sunday's 2-0 success against Chelsea.
"From now on, all the time when players come into my office and ask for a different position, I will play them. It's brilliant," Klopp joked. "Actually we had that talk. He played the other positions when we had a need and played them really well.
"For the game against Porto, wow. So no problem. That is my job, to play the players in their strongest position.
"In the last three games he's obviously on fire."
Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah believes Henderson's switch to a more attacking position has benefited the rest of the side.
"Hendo did a great job and it makes it easier for me. I think we do a good job together," he said.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
PORTO V LIVERPOOL
Singtel TV Ch112 & StarHub Ch2 13, tomorrow, 2.55am
England's Sterling honoured with award for fighting racism Manchester City's England forward Raheem Sterling has been awarded The Integrity and Impact Award at this year's BT Sport Industry
Football: England's Raheem Sterling honoured with award for
We trust ourselves. It's just three goals. If it's 10 goals against us, then it's a problem. "In a game, both teams want to win. That's football. We (the fans and the team) have to grow together
The Importance of Self-Trust - Mike Robbins
Liverpool defender Joel Matip will be out of action for up to six weeks after suffering a fractured collarbone. Liverpool title bid hit by Matip injury Football scandal girl Zahia scores
Football Liverpool title bid hit by Matip injury - Pulse Ghana
In an article for Barça Magazine, former player Àlex Delmàs analyses FC Barcelona's new Dutch signing. Football. 06 Jun 19 we shall assume that you accept the use of cookies.
Football: Arrizabalaga dropped as Chelsea beat Tottenham 2-0 LONDON (REUTERS) - Chelsea put their tumultuous League Cup final defeat behind them to revive their top-four hopes with a 2-0 victory over stuttering Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday (Feb 27).
Goalkeeper Arrizabalaga dropped as Chelsea beat Tottenham
The TV, live streaming and radio listings are legal broadcasts of Tampines Rovers - Home United in United States. Authentication or subscription with a TV, ISP or streaming provider may be required. Please note that not all channels are available to watch online. If available online, we will link to the official stream provider above before
Tampines Rovers FC Singapore statistics, table, results, fixtures
Alexandre Lacazette scored the only goal as Arsenal dispatched Napoli 1-0 on Thursday to advance to the Europa League semi-finals 3-0 on aggregate. Lacazette's stunning 36th-minute free-kick put
Arsenal win in Napoli to reach Europa League semi-finals
A fourth straight league loss for Huddersfield's new manager Jan Siewert left the Terriers stranded six points behind Fulham and 14 adrift of 17th-placed Cardiff City as Newcastle, with a third straight home win under Rafa Benitez, moved up to 14th. Almiron, making his first start for Newcastle after his club record 20 million-pound ($26.1
VIDEO Newcastle United 2 - 0 Huddersfield (Premier League
MUNICH, Germany, March 12 (Reuters) - Liverpool coach Juergen Klopp has said that the outcome of their Champions League last-16 tie against Bayern Munich on Wednesday will not affect the Premier
Liverpool result at Bayern won't affect Premier League bid
Chelsea Vs Eintracht Frankfurt 1-1 (Penalties 4-3) ⚽ Europa League 2019 ⚽ HD #Hazard. Chelsea beat Eintracht Frankfurt in shootout to reach Europa League final
Chelsea beat Eintracht Frankfurt on penalties to reach Europa
Qatar Coach to 'Isolate' Team from Gulf Politics at AFC Asian Cup The tournament represents the first visit by the Qatari national side to the UAE since the beginning of a row that has transformed the Gulf and left Doha cut off from its neighbouring former allies.
Qatar coach to 'isolate' team from Gulf politics at Asian Cup
Arsenal close to first summer signing as Italian reporter reveals all on 'advanced talks' ARSENAL are in "advanced talks" to sign former Atletico Madrid winger Yannick Carrasco from Chinese
Atletico The Greatest Threat To Barca's La Liga Hopes - Valverde Zeeshan Mehtab 4 months ago Sat 26th January 2019 | 11:16 PM Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde has admitted he views Atletico Madrid as a greater threat to his side winning La Liga this season than Real Madrid
Messi Torments Liverpool With 600th Barca Goal In 3-0 Win Agencies • May 02, 2019 • 1175 Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share on Google+ Share on Reddit Print this article Email to friend
Messi torments Liverpool with 600th Barca goal in 3-0 win
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen