Nearly two years ago on New Year’s Day 2015, it was announced that Liverpool Football Club’s longtime captain and legend Steven Gerrard would not be returning for the following season. After weeks of initial shock, disappointment, sadness and nostalgia, the fans and club had to turn their attention to a new captain – a new face to lead the club in the future. This is where fellow Englishman and then-Vice Captain Jordan Henderson came into play.
Following a disappointing season in 2014-15, Liverpool were in desperate need for change. After nearly capturing the title in 2013-14, the Reds fell back down to sixth place in the league, eight points behind rival Manchester United and a whopping 25 points behind league champions Chelsea. With Luis Suárez sold the previous summer, Gerrard announcing his departure and Brendan Rodgers on the hot seat, the Reds needed someone to step up and inspire hope on and off the pitch. They needed someone who possesses every quality a captain must have: leadership, energy, positivity, team-oriented, skilled and certainly someone who would run through a brick wall just to see the club succeed.
Only a month after the disappointing season came to an end, Liverpool brass decided that man was indeed Jordan Henderson. The former Sunderland man was now hailed as the player to provide that spark – that energy – the Reds had been lacking in 2014-15. Although many supporters were skeptical, Henderson seemed to be ready to take on the massive challenge. “I’m absolutely delighted and proud. It is a great honour and a huge privilege to be named as the captain of this football club,” Henderson said in a LFC press release. “When Steven [Gerrard] wasn’t in the team last season, I tried to do the best I could when I stepped in and took the armband. Now I’ll be looking to carry that on and continue to grow as a captain. I’ll look to give my best all of the time, put the team firmly first and try to give them – or help them with – whatever they need from me.”
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Although the then-25 year old was excited to lead the club back to glory, his first year as captain was unfortunately riddled with injuries. He went on to make just 17 league appearances and 26 appearances in all competitions. His heart was always in the right place and his leadership off the pitch was superb, however some skeptics were very unpleased with his lack of output on the pitch. Before we knew it, people had completely written him off to the point where some were urging Jürgen Klopp to consider selling him £20-25m to a smaller club. The term “overrated” had been peppered throughout articles, social media and everyday conversation. It was truly a shocking way to treat the captain of one of the biggest clubs in all of Europe. However, that hatred didn’t stop or damage Henderson’s drive to succeed.
After a horrid 2015-16 campaign for the club, the Reds finally had some sort of stability in their squad heading into this season. Jürgen Klopp now had a full preseason with his new club under his belt and our captain was back healthy with no signs of lingering medical issues.
The Reds opened up the season with a thrilling 4-3 victory at the Emirates, followed by a dreadful 2-0 defeat away to Burnley. A typical pattern over the last few seasons in Merseyside. Was this the same old Reds? Are we in for another up and down roller coaster season? Since the defeat to Burnley, these questions have not only been answered, but they’ve been completely put to rest. This is a completely new team. A title contender. A force to be reckoned with. A high energy team who scores goals and excites the crowd. Yes, loads of credit must go to our boss and his new signings. Klopp’s magical smile, intense demeanor and terrific tactics have been truly impactful, however one man has always flown under the radar and has always been criticized and dismissed by some of our own supporters and opposing fans. He always gets the job done in a non-flashy way. He is the one leading the club on the pitch, constantly standing up for his teammates. Pressing opponents every opportunity he gets. The player who always gives it his all for the badge on his jersey – our captain Jordan Henderson.
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Throughout the first 13 league matches this season, Henderson has well and truly dominated all competition. The 26 year old central midfielder has completed the most passes in the entire league, an impressive 1,132 (87/match) which is well ahead Manchester City’s Fernandinho (939) and Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante (864). He also sits atop the league in tackles with 53 (4/match) in 13 appearances, one more than Everton’s Idrissa Gueye and four more than Leicester City’s Danny Drinkwater.
Not only has Henderson quietly been a force on the ball and in defense but his durability has been nothing short of magnificent, too, leading all Premier League players in distance covered. On top of that telling statistic, he has also logged 1,154 minutes (89 mins/match) this season out of a possible 1,170. For a central midfielder coming back from a brutal foot injury less than a year back, that is truly sensational. It highlights multiple things including the positive impact of Reds new fitness coach, Andreas Kornmayer, and Klopp’s training methods. But most importantly it shows the mental toughness and incredible work ethic of our captain.
Yes, the 2016-17 season is still very young. There is a hefty battle at the top of the table with Premier League giants Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal, but the Reds are right there going toe to toe with the very best week in and week out. But some things are certain. The atmosphere in Merseyside has changed. The comradery of the team is better than it has been in years and Anfield has become a fortress once again. A tip of the cap to our German boss is needed, however our unwavering support for our captain is long overdue. Although not considered a “traditional” superstar on the pitch, the lad from Sunderland is quickly becoming the cream of the crop in the Premier League. Although many see his quality on and off the pitch, I think it’s time for some of his doubters to admit they were wrong. Jordan Henderson has simply become the perfect captain for Liverpool Football Club.
Written By Michael Pietrzak
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