Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson made his first appearance for the Reds against Hull on Saturday and although the Merseyside club were on the wrong end of a 3-0 defeat, the former Sunderland player stood out as the best performer of the new signings on show.
At 21 years of age, Henderson already has an assuredness on the ball which belies his years. In many ways he is a Liverpool style player, and more importantly one that Kenny Dalglish believes can be a crucial player for the club for years to come. The crucial reason why he is so highly thought of, in my opinion, is the fact he is always looking to make something happen on the ball. If you look at the highlights from his first match against Hull below, you can see what I am talking about:
[youtube S9-hSgxauus]
For sure it was only one pre-season friendly against a Championship side where a real competitive match intensity was lacking, but it was also a feature of Henderson’s play, playing for Sunderland last season, that he would always see what’s on before he makes a pass.
Considering it was only his first pre-season friendly too, he already looked more alert than some of his team mates who had two pre-season matches under their belts already, and what I think attracted Dalglish to Henderson particularly was his ability to use possession both wisely and positively.
Last season, he created 82 chances (classed as shots on target) for team mates, the fifth highest in the league in total. This was even despite having a drop in form in the second half of the season for Sunderland.
One of my favourite passes in the compilation above is at 1:35 when he strikes an accurate diagonal ball to the feet of Stewart Downing who proceeded to cross the ball into the box. Hopefully we will see a lot more of this sort of passing next season, to unleash Downing and Suarez down the flanks to trouble the opposition defence.
Although his positive passing was certainly the most encouraging part of the performance, his off the ball play was nearly as impressive. As the central tenet of Liverpool’s style of play, pass and move, Henderson moved very well off the ball after making a positive contribution on the ball. On more than one occasion in the match versus Hull, he showed himself in space, by making forward runs beyond the attacking line, demonstrating again that he is always looking to make something happen in the final third.
Of course, it was only one friendly, and I am sure we will see some flaws in Jordan’s game as the season progresses, as after all he is only 21, but what really stands out about Henderson, is his attacking intent, something no doubt both King Kenny and Damien Comolli pinpointed when they first offered Sunderland a sizeable fee for the player.
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Another reason is that he has been nurtured by a top class premier team: Sunderland.
Well said! I’m fed up with fickle internet fans getting on the back of our new signings!
@ Ian_Safc – haha, I’m sure there’s truth in that! Some interesting stuff gong on up there, especially compared to your neighbours!!!
He looked impressive in our last friendly, hopefully he has a good first season.
He ‘ll definitely be a successful English player in EPL. Here English is the key word
All those people saying he was a crap player and 20mil is a disgrace, well he’s proved to me that he has what it takes, to be a good player(maybe great,who knows) and for 13.5mil not 20mil doesn’t seem that bad a deal now does it. Also he doesn’t remind me of a young replacement for stevie, his movement etc are more like lampard, long way to go to match lamps though, but who knows, how good was lampard at 21
are all you people in your right minds or you are taking something or stoped taking it, coz this is one of the most ridiculous article to date!!
bring back torres for half cut price.. 25 million.
……………reina…………….
johnson…cara…..skertel…enrique
kyut…….gerrard..lucas….downing
……..suarez……..torres……..
U r kidding, right?
I think that you must be ‘half cut’ with that suggestion
He will be a good player for Liverpool if he’s taught how to tackle and not to pull out of 50/50’s. He plays in a position where he’s got to be able to pinch the ball and move the play forward and still get into scoring positions. If he listens and learns from Stevie G he will be a great player. I’m sad to see him leave SAFC and wish him all the best.
Henderson has a great engine, and sees a pass. he had a VERY mediocre season last season and the £20m we’ll get, once the add ons tot up is a good bit of business for SAFC. Enjoy watching an enthusiastic English youngster guys. We’ll give him a big cheers on the opeing day at your place. Quite how he’ll get on with scum boy Carroll, remains to be seen – they could not be greater opposites.