Here’s to you Jordan Henderson: Liverpool’s underrated captain ready to prove a point against Reds
Liverpool fans know exactly what it can mean to have a determined, fired up Jordan Henderson on your side.
The former Reds midfielder has been written off time and again throughout his career, but consistently bounced back to become one of the most decorated captains in Liverpool history.
Tenacious, hard-working and relentlessly energetic, Henderson was the driving force behind Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool.
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While the flashier names of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Virgil van Dijk took much of the credit, the No. 14 underpinned everything, pulling the team together and dominating in midfield.
On Saturday, Liverpool will feel the full force of Henderson‘s determination for the very first time. The former skipper is set to face his old club during Saturday’s Premier League match against Brentford.
Henderson felt he was wronged by Klopp and Liverpool for the way he left in 2023. Still believing he could play a part as a regular starter, the 35-year-old was disappointed to hear that would not be happening and promptly left for Saudi Arabia. Now back in the Premier League, he will be determined to prove a point on Saturday.
Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images
Liverpool set to find out just how good Jordan Henderson is
Perhaps it is due to the way he left the club two years ago, maybe his no-frills playing style has something to do with it, but it is fair to say that Henderson is underrated by Liverpool fans.
He was not the most popular player during his 12 years at Anfield, but since leaving the Wearsider has become something of a figure of fun, almost a pariah.
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This should not sit right with any Liverpool fan. Henderson was the perfect example of an Anfield captain both on and off the pitch, and although he has made some legacy-damaging mistakes, it is time he got the respect he is due.
Henderson will be hell-bent on making sure those who replaced him at Liverpool – Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister – see he gets that respect on Saturday.
The England veteran has been brilliant since joining Brentford, and it could be that Liverpool fans need to see Henderson in action against them to appreciate exactly what he does.
Andy Robertson has told Liverpool’s midfield to be ready for Henderson, because he will almost certainly be ready for them. Arne Slot spoke on Friday of how people in the Netherlands can’t stop talking of how much Ajax miss his leadership. They have been forewarned.
Being the first chance he will have played in front of his former supporters since leaving under a cloud, hopefully Saturday can be a step towards Henderson being recognised as the Liverpool legend that he is.
When will Henderson return to Anfield?
Henderson’s exit from Liverpool was not one befitting a player who had won so much, and played so long for the club.
Under ordinary circumstances, the former Sunderland man should have been waved off at Anfield and shown appreciation for his services to the Reds.
Given the surprise nature of his departure, though, he was almost bundled out of the back door, leaving supporters to question everything that had come before.
Henderson was at Anfield to watch Liverpool lift the Premier League trophy in May, but has admitted to feeling nervous before coming back to Merseyside.
For a player as decorated, as humble, and as honest as Henderson, that does not feel right. He should be welcomed back with open arms at Anfield whenever he does return, and Reds fans will hope he can witness another title win with Brentford visiting on the final day of the season.
On Saturday, they will be hoping Liverpool’s midfield show why it was the right time to move on from him, but every other day of the year bar one, fans should only wish good things for Henderson.
