Jordan Henderson

[Scratch]

Damn it Henderson has had a good game... how can i ever post of EST again!!

You can't

[danperkins]

You can't

[RichC]

I think the combo of Lucas, Gerrard and Henderson has given us the best combination in midfield so far this season. The energy Henderson has brought in has allowed Gerrard that little bit more freedom and with Lucas just sitting we don't have the concerns as we did at the start of the season of having no cover for the defence if a team breaks.

[-V-]

He really annoys me that the media keeping saying he was a £20m signing. Its ****ing irritating because its not true yet they band it about as if its fact.

He was £13m plus add ons which could one day lead up to £18m. Could

He's only 22 and he's improving all the time so I have alot of faith that in the long-term he will be well worth it

[Captain Stu]

He really annoys me that the media keeping saying he was a £20m signing. Its ****ing irritating because its not true yet they band it about as if its fact.

He was £13m plus add ons which could one day lead up to £18m. Could

He's only 22 and he's improving all the time so I have alot of faith that in the long-term he will be well worth it

And yet Slurgie spending £12-15M on Zaha will be seen as AMAZING.

[Nick77]

He really annoys me that the media keeping saying he was a £20m signing. Its ****ing irritating because its not true yet they band it about as if its fact.

He was £13m plus add ons which could one day lead up to £18m. Could

He's only 22 and he's improving all the time so I have alot of faith that in the long-term he will be well worth it

16 million, not 18...

[red g]

And yet Slurgie spending £12-15M on Zaha will be seen as AMAZING.

and you know the deal will be about 10m initially leading upto probably 20+ but he will be forever the 10m bargain.

[RedReet]

He's not playing brilliantly, he's improving and will get better there's definitely more to come from him.

He's still a ****ing pussy when it comes to tackling, he could do with watching Gerrard and learn a few things about how to get the foot in, the whole team could tbh bar maybe Lucas and Shelvey.

Maybe he's just a pussy and can't tackle I don't know. His passing was good today, very crisp and kept the ball on the ground. Lovely goal by him but I could have scored a goal like that on the half volley, anyone could it sat perfectly for him.

Liked his reaction to the goal too, clearly meant a lot to him.

I thought I imagined reading that the other day.

[Shaggy]

Jonathan Wilson on Jordan:

http://www.lifesapitch.co.uk/opinions/liverpool-should-keep-faith-with-jordan-henderson/

The first time I really took any notice of Jordan Henderson, I thought he was rubbish. It was a Sunderland away game at Birmingham in October 2009 – the match after the beach-ball game against Liverpool.

Sunderland were going so well that in the car on the way to the ground we’d had a discussion as to whether we, as Sunderland fans, wanted Aston Villa to beat Wolves to help in a relegation fight or Wolves to beat Villa to improve our chances of Europa League qualification. Three minutes into the second half, when James McFadden put Birmingham 2-0 up, our chat seemed faintly embarrassing. Sunderland pulled one back, but 2-1 was no reflection of Birmingham’s superiority.

Henderson was playing in the middle of midfield and, frankly, looked overawed, barely able to complete a 10-yard pass. What had Steve Bruce seen, we wondered, to make him bring Henderson in from the right flank, where he looked a promising young player? In the weeks that followed, even as Sunderland won just two of their next 18 league games, this soon became apparent.

At the beginning of April, after Sunderland’s form had recovered and the threat of relegation had begun to recede, came a home match against Tottenham. Sunderland were superb, but missed two penalties and had a goal wrongly ruled out, and with five minutes to go were nervously 2-1 up. Then Henderson took control, ensuring Sunderland won the game almost by force of will. He drove forward, played a pass in to Kenwyne Jones, then made a looping run of 40 yards to regather the ball on the right wing. His cross was good and Boudewijn Zenden smashed in a spectacular volley. It was a stunning goal, but it was founded on Henderson’s determination – his sense that he had to do something to make sure Sunderland didn’t lose a game in which they’d been by far the better team.

Henderson was 19 at the time, an industrious, decent passer of the ball who, because he’d started on the wing, seemed to know how to take a man on and could also cross. Better yet, he seemed humble and keen to learn, was developing rapidly and was a local lad. When he signed a five-year contract in April 2010, the expectation was that he’d stay for three years or so before the inevitable move to a bigger club.

As it was, Liverpool came calling in the summer of 2011. My view, and that of most Sunderland fans I spoke to, was that it was a shame to see him go but £16m was far too much to turn down.

That price tag has become a millstone, however, raising expectations and increasing pressure. What Liverpool got for their money was a player with potential who would do a solid job, enlivened by the odd flash of inspiration. Given his desire to learn, Henderson might have gone on – and might still go on – to be more than that, but £16m demanded a fully formed player.

This season, as frustration at the ineffectiveness of 2011′s spending has ebbed, Henderson has begun to look more like the player he was at Sunderland. He is retaining possession well, running as hard as ever and making interceptions. He’s a jack of all trades, so will never stand out in one category, but it’s testament to his range that he has played in five different positions this season.

His goal against Norwich last Saturday, thrashed in from at least 25 yards, suggests his confidence is returning. If fans and pundits can look at the man rather than the price tag, they may see a promising player worth persevering with.

[el matador]

i think he's a tremendous player and his presence in the side allows gerrard to play how he does.

Lucas and hendo do their work and gerrards for him. Its a shame that it took us so long to realise that he should be playing every week.

[Nick77]

i think he's a tremendous player and his presence in the side allows gerrard to play how he does.

Lucas and hendo do their work and gerrards for him. Its a shame that it took us so long to realise that he should be playing every week.

He will be dropped for Allen again knowing our manager...

[souliv]

Thought he played well again today and that is 2 goals in 2 now really pleased to see him improving, hope he maintains his place on Sunday against City

[baitman]

only caught the highlights on motd but i have to say he did look like he wants to get stuck in. really pleased to see the change in his effort and mentality, long may it continue.

cant believe it, really, but any benefit to the team is welcome.

[Mostar]

Still long way to go but he seems to be gaining confidence with each and every game.

At this moment he earned his spot to start.

[Exiled_red]

Thought he played well again today and that is 2 goals in 2 now really pleased to see him improving, hope he maintains his place on Sunday against City

It seems to be a choice between him and Allen, and Henderson is definately the player in form. The problem is Rodgers doesn't seem to pick him consistently, I could easily see Rodgers picking Allen ahead of him on Sunday.