JORDAN HENDERSON will realise his full stunning potential when he starts working with Liverpool ace Steven Gerrard.
That is the verdict of Sunderland legend Gary Bennett, who reckons the Mackems midfielder needed the £20million move to become the player everyone thinks he can.
Henderson, 20, has enjoyed a meteoric rise since returning from a loan spell at Coventry two years ago ready to take the Premier League by storm.
He struggled after bagging his first England cap last season, playing in a Sunderland side which was hurtling towards disaster before a last-gasp survival act.
But Bennett, who has watched Henderson's rise to fame closely, reckons Kenny Dalglish has bagged himself one of English football's best talents.
He said: "People may be questioning the fee but if Liverpool want to pay that, then fine.
"Jordan left for Coventry as a boy but returned a man.
"Yes, he was inconsistent last season but you have to remember how quickly everything has happened for him.
"The lad has come from nowhere to become a Premier League regular. That can have an adverse affect sometimes.
"He'll be pinching himself now. He has over-achieved already but he's still learning."
Henderson bagged just four goals from over 70 league appearances for the Black Cats - a poor return for an attacking midfielder.
But Bennett, who made 369 appearances for Sunderland between 1984 and 1995, added: "To go to the next level he perhaps needed a fresh start and Liverpool will give him that.
"Playing with Gerrard will be huge. He can only learn off someone like that.
"He's a good pro - tee-total and grounded. It is a massive move but Dalglish has got a real player on his hands who will only get better. Jordan is one for the future."
