Jordan Henderson is winning long overdue respect, says Jurgen Klopp
By Chris Bascombe
22 JANUARY 2020 • 10:30PM
Jurgen Klopp says his Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson is finally getting the respect he deserves after emerging from the formidable shadow of Steven Gerrard.
Henderson replaced Gerrard as the Anfield captain in the summer of 2015, a role Klopp says was the ‘most unthankful job in the world’ given the status of the Kop legend.
But lifting last year’s Champions League trophy transformed perceptions of Henderson and Klopp is thrilled there is now more external recognition.
“People maybe need to get used to that - that somebody who is not Steven Gerrard has the captain's armband - and he didn't get the credit he would have deserved,” said Klopp,
“But since I am here, Hendo has played 90% of the games he was available, if not more.
“I thought he played an exceptional season last season, to be honest.
“They were big, big steps. There were a lot of good games which were not seen as good games before that. I got told that, I didn't realise it, so thank God somebody told me so I could help him maybe a little bit to judge these things right.
“With Jordan, I don’t read newspapers, but I heard that people were not happy with this or this or this and I could then react to that. It’s important that I can say I’m completely happy with the performance even when the public perception is different - you get grades that look like you weren’t really relevant on the pitch and if I see it differently, then I tell it to the players. I know exactly what was expected so it’s the more important feedback. If you fulfilled that job, it’s good.
“If he scores two goals, but other things went wrong for example, then I would tell him as well. That’s what a coach does. I need to know about these things so I can work with it.”
Henderson is being touted as a possible PFA and FWA Player of the Year, although there is a possibility the multitude of candidates from the league leaders might split the vote and cost all of them the accolade in 2020.
Sadio Mane, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil Van Dijk would be equally worthy of the award, with Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne the most likely rival beyond Merseyside.
For Henderson to be referenced is a measure of his progress.
“The natural quality was always there,” said Klopp, who takes his side to Wolves on Thursday night.
“I knew Hendo before I came here as a proper box-to-box player who can make the difference with power, his speed as well and stuff like this - the desire he puts on the pitch. He was 25 when I came here, it's the best age to improve, the best age to make the next steps.
“He is now calmer in certain situations. His self-awareness, self-confidence grew again from a proper level.”
Klopp thinks becoming a Champions League winning captain also makes a difference.
“Oh, that helps for sure. It’s clear. No-one can take that away from him,” said the manager.
“I had a similar situation with Sebastian Kehl at Dortmund. He became the only captain in the history of the club to lift the Bundesliga trophy and the cup trophy because we won the double. That stays forever and that’s cool.”
With Harry Kane struggling to be fit for Euro 2020, Henderson may lead his country this summer, too.
“He is vice-captain. He is already a leader in that group,” said Klopp.
“I don’t know what Gareth (Southgate) thinks he wants to do, but he’s for sure in the bunch of players able to take the armband. I am not sure I should wish it for him. Let’s hope everything will be fine (with Harry Kane).”
Liverpool expect Dejan Lovren to be available soon after his return to training, and Klopp says he has no intention of listening to offers for Xherdan Shaqiri in this transfer window.
By Chris Bascombe
22 JANUARY 2020 • 10:30PM
Jurgen Klopp says his Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson is finally getting the respect he deserves after emerging from the formidable shadow of Steven Gerrard.
Henderson replaced Gerrard as the Anfield captain in the summer of 2015, a role Klopp says was the ‘most unthankful job in the world’ given the status of the Kop legend.
But lifting last year’s Champions League trophy transformed perceptions of Henderson and Klopp is thrilled there is now more external recognition.
“People maybe need to get used to that - that somebody who is not Steven Gerrard has the captain's armband - and he didn't get the credit he would have deserved,” said Klopp,
“But since I am here, Hendo has played 90% of the games he was available, if not more.
“I thought he played an exceptional season last season, to be honest.
“They were big, big steps. There were a lot of good games which were not seen as good games before that. I got told that, I didn't realise it, so thank God somebody told me so I could help him maybe a little bit to judge these things right.
“With Jordan, I don’t read newspapers, but I heard that people were not happy with this or this or this and I could then react to that. It’s important that I can say I’m completely happy with the performance even when the public perception is different - you get grades that look like you weren’t really relevant on the pitch and if I see it differently, then I tell it to the players. I know exactly what was expected so it’s the more important feedback. If you fulfilled that job, it’s good.
“If he scores two goals, but other things went wrong for example, then I would tell him as well. That’s what a coach does. I need to know about these things so I can work with it.”
Henderson is being touted as a possible PFA and FWA Player of the Year, although there is a possibility the multitude of candidates from the league leaders might split the vote and cost all of them the accolade in 2020.
Sadio Mane, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil Van Dijk would be equally worthy of the award, with Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne the most likely rival beyond Merseyside.
For Henderson to be referenced is a measure of his progress.
“The natural quality was always there,” said Klopp, who takes his side to Wolves on Thursday night.
“I knew Hendo before I came here as a proper box-to-box player who can make the difference with power, his speed as well and stuff like this - the desire he puts on the pitch. He was 25 when I came here, it's the best age to improve, the best age to make the next steps.
“He is now calmer in certain situations. His self-awareness, self-confidence grew again from a proper level.”
Klopp thinks becoming a Champions League winning captain also makes a difference.
“Oh, that helps for sure. It’s clear. No-one can take that away from him,” said the manager.
“I had a similar situation with Sebastian Kehl at Dortmund. He became the only captain in the history of the club to lift the Bundesliga trophy and the cup trophy because we won the double. That stays forever and that’s cool.”
With Harry Kane struggling to be fit for Euro 2020, Henderson may lead his country this summer, too.
“He is vice-captain. He is already a leader in that group,” said Klopp.
“I don’t know what Gareth (Southgate) thinks he wants to do, but he’s for sure in the bunch of players able to take the armband. I am not sure I should wish it for him. Let’s hope everything will be fine (with Harry Kane).”
Liverpool expect Dejan Lovren to be available soon after his return to training, and Klopp says he has no intention of listening to offers for Xherdan Shaqiri in this transfer window.
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