Jordan Henderson, title-winning captain
- Thread starter rurikbird
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Gerrard is one of the greatest players I've ever seen on a different level to Hendo let's not kid ourselves.... BUT... Hendo in terms of being a leader influencing others on the pitch and making the team perform simply can't be questioned.
Moreover.... there is no need at all to have the debate today is there... he is currently the Captain of the Champions of England and Europe and the World.
When Gerrard and Suarez left the club he seemed to dip. Rather than stepping out of their shadow he seemed to shrink in the glare of the spotlights. The reponsibility weighed heavily on him and he became more and more conservative in his play. I think Klopp has been instrumental to rebuilding his confidence, and having other leaders in the team like Virgil has taken the pressure off him. Hes playing the best football of his career and hes become a great ambassador for the club. Couldnt happen to a nicer fella.
Oh come on...
This was what I posted in the Fabinho topic yesterday
He's different gravy these days. Never thought I'd see it, it's amazing. Made up for him, of all the captains who've won the league I doubt there's many that have had to work so hard to get there
He's different gravy these days. Never thought I'd see it, it's amazing. Made up for him, of all the captains who've won the league I doubt there's many that have had to work so hard to get there
Some people wilt when responsibility is thrust upon them and some thrive. Jordan has proved to be in the latter category and his performances and leadership have grown year on year since he got the captaincy. Now he deserves to be considered amongst Liverpool's great captains not only because of the way he's played and led but because of the things he's won. And to cap all that he seems like a good lad.
Klopp always appreciated Henderson because of the importance he places on the group's attitude – but you always had a sense that it was only a matter of time before he's replaced by someone more talented, skillful, a more cultured playmaker or a more finely-tuned defensive specialist. There was one specific game where it all changed and Hendo became indispensable and I remember it pretty well, because it happened to be played on my birthday last year – 3:1 away win at Saints.
Before that game, Jordan had the audacity to go have a chat with Klopp and ask him to be played further forward. Klopp's response was to drop the captain to the bench and start with the trio of Fabinho, Keita and Wijnaldum. We the fans were all ecstatic when saw the lineup with 3 of our most talented midfielders playing together for the first time, but in the game it was a disaster – they got overrun, didn't close the gaps and didn't offer enough protection to each other. We were somewhat fortunate to be tied at 1:1 when on 60th minute Klopp brought on Hendo for Gini and Milner for Trent. And this was finally the moment Hendo was given a license to attack and play as a true box-to-box midfielder – it was like "here's 30 minutes to justify your big mouth and prove I was actually playing you in a wrong position this entire time."
As they say the rest is history – Hendo set up the go-ahead goal by Salah (with his head!) and scored the 3rd goal in style. He went on a tear in his new position for the rest of the season, collecting 4 more assists (including a crucial one in the 4:0 game against Barca) and injecting new energy into the midfield, which helped to propel us to the CL title. Since that change in position, he's been integral to the side and we've won every major trophy we've competed for (with the exception of the EPL in 18-19 despite winning every game since). The reliable and boring 6-6.5/10 DM has been replaced by the dynamic 7-7.5/10 box-to-box player; someone who does not only bring his individual qualities, but also, due to his versatility and willingness to follow instructions, acts as one of the "levers" for subtle changes to the tactical shape during the game, which has been one of our biggest hidden weapons. Another manager's ego might have made them unwilling to follow a player's lead on a tactical decision, but it was not so with Klopp and I have a sense he's gained new respect and trust for Hendo as a result of this episode (as did Hendo for Klopp, I'm sure). So yeah, that's when soon-to-be-replaced Jordan became the serial-title-winner Henderson.
Before that game, Jordan had the audacity to go have a chat with Klopp and ask him to be played further forward. Klopp's response was to drop the captain to the bench and start with the trio of Fabinho, Keita and Wijnaldum. We the fans were all ecstatic when saw the lineup with 3 of our most talented midfielders playing together for the first time, but in the game it was a disaster – they got overrun, didn't close the gaps and didn't offer enough protection to each other. We were somewhat fortunate to be tied at 1:1 when on 60th minute Klopp brought on Hendo for Gini and Milner for Trent. And this was finally the moment Hendo was given a license to attack and play as a true box-to-box midfielder – it was like "here's 30 minutes to justify your big mouth and prove I was actually playing you in a wrong position this entire time."
As they say the rest is history – Hendo set up the go-ahead goal by Salah (with his head!) and scored the 3rd goal in style. He went on a tear in his new position for the rest of the season, collecting 4 more assists (including a crucial one in the 4:0 game against Barca) and injecting new energy into the midfield, which helped to propel us to the CL title. Since that change in position, he's been integral to the side and we've won every major trophy we've competed for (with the exception of the EPL in 18-19 despite winning every game since). The reliable and boring 6-6.5/10 DM has been replaced by the dynamic 7-7.5/10 box-to-box player; someone who does not only bring his individual qualities, but also, due to his versatility and willingness to follow instructions, acts as one of the "levers" for subtle changes to the tactical shape during the game, which has been one of our biggest hidden weapons. Another manager's ego might have made them unwilling to follow a player's lead on a tactical decision, but it was not so with Klopp and I have a sense he's gained new respect and trust for Hendo as a result of this episode (as did Hendo for Klopp, I'm sure). So yeah, that's when soon-to-be-replaced Jordan became the serial-title-winner Henderson.
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When does he do that eh? In the Shittyhad?
FUCKING LOVE THAT POSTER... I'd buy one of those!
I've always rated him and been behind him. Never thought he'd become as great a leader as he has, though.
Imagine we swapped him for Dempsey. Worse than swapping Alonso for fucking Gareth Barry, that.
Imagine we swapped him for Dempsey. Worse than swapping Alonso for fucking Gareth Barry, that.
Tremendous post Rurik but, however hesitantly, I slightly take issue with an implication I sense in it, namely that Klopp was playing Hendo deeper because he thought that was Hendo's best position. My bet would be that it was more a question of Klopp feeling that Hendo was the best option available for that deeper role that he had at the time, not necessarily that it was where Hendo truly belonged. I don't recall exactly, but maybe Fabinho hadn't hit his stride yet.
Come to think of it, has anyone ever seen @6TimesaRed and Stevie in the same room together?
Ban him.
I'll happily admit I was one of those up until about 18 months ago, who wanted 'captain sideways' to be the next out the door.
Like others have said, there are more talented individuals out there for his position. But he's playing at the peak of his powers right now.
And those intangibles he possesses now are off the chart.
I'll eat some humble pie and admit that I was wrong to want him gone.
PS - has anyone seen Dreamy? Hahahaha
Like others have said, there are more talented individuals out there for his position. But he's playing at the peak of his powers right now.
And those intangibles he possesses now are off the chart.
I'll eat some humble pie and admit that I was wrong to want him gone.
PS - has anyone seen Dreamy? Hahahaha
Ban him.
FFS --- but I wreckon he did it on purpose
Theirs always at least one.
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