Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson Q&A

With the build up to the release of FIFA 16, Live4liverpool (amongst others) were given the opportunity to ask a few questions of Liverpool VC, Jordan Henderson. Check out the full interview below.

When asked, “What will you miss most about Steven Gerrard when he leaves?”, Jordan Henderson, speaking as he joined the race to partner Lionel Messi on the EA SPORTS FIFA 16 UK Cover said:

I think we’ll most miss him just being in the dressing room and being around the place. We’ll miss him as a person and also as a player. We’re going to miss his qualities on the pitch but off the pitch we’ll miss his presence really.

What might people not know about Stevie G and how he is around the training ground? Is he a bit of a prankster, as people might not guess?

No, I don’t think so. He’s just very normal. He works very hard on and off the field, in the gym, getting his massage or whatever he’s doing, he’s very normal and likes to have a bit of banter too.

You’ve worked very closely with him, what sort of influence has he had on your career so far?

He’s had a massive influence on my career since I joined the club. He spoke to me straight away and was brilliant really. He’s been the perfect person to learn from and hopefully the things that I’ve learnt I can take on and improve and keep with me for the rest of my career.

If you are to be given the captaincy, do you think you are ready to step up and take it?

Yeah, I always want to take more responsibility. In the stage of my career that I’m at I feel as though I have matured a lot and of course I always want to take that responsibility. When Stevie hasn’t been there and I’ve had to step in I’ve just tried to do my best and what I think is right for the team.

This season has been relatively disappointing in comparison to last season. What do you think has happened?

I just think it’s obviously been stop-start. We didn’t start the season very well then I feel as though in the middle of the season we hit a good run of form and gained some momentum and looked very very good. Then towards the end of the season we didn’t get the performances or results that we’d have liked and it didn’t work out, so overall it was very disappointing, but we’ve got a young team that want to learn and improve and hopefully next season we will be ready.

So you think next season you’ll be able to deliver the performances you showed in the middle part of this season on a more consistent basis?

That’s the aim. Obviously we’ve got some very good players here, I think it’s just a case of tweaking one or two things and improving on certain aspects and hopefully we’ll be a force next season in the Premier League and in other competitions too.

Personally, have you set yourself any goals? Is there a goal tally or an assist target that you’d like to reach?

I always just want to improve. So whatever my goal and assist tally was last season, I want to improve that next season. That’s always my aim, just to improve every day and that’s what I’ll try and do.

Is there an area in particular that you’ll be looking to improve on in the close-season?

I think heading is definitely something of mine that needs improvement. I always want to improve on the things that I feel as though I am doing well at too. I want to keep doing that, keep practicing, keep working on that to get even better and then look at the things I need to improve on and I’m not doing so well at and work on them as well. Like I said, I am always looking to improve and I just want to be the best that I can be.

You’ve recently signed a new contract here. What is it about Liverpool that makes you want to stay at the club and keep playing here?

I think it’s a fantastic club, it’s one of the biggest in the world. The fans are incredible all over the world and for me to be a part of that is an honour really. I’ve enjoyed my time here since I joined and hopefully I can enjoy many more years here too.

There has been some great young players coming through here, is there anyone in particular that has caught your eye?

Obviously Jordan Ibe has come in to the squad and done very well. He’s still very young but he’s been brilliant when he’s been in the team, so hopefully next season he’ll make a big impact for us.

Who is your footballing hero when you were growing up?

I don’t really like saying it but probably Stevie! When I was very young and watching him in cup finals and certain games, in big games he would produce the goods. The way that he went about his business and played the game, I loved. So like I said, to have played with him for the last four years, training with him and sharing the same dressing room with him has been unbelievable for me really.

What has been your most memorable moment in football so far?

A good moment was probably winning my first trophy for Liverpool, and a bad moment was losing the FA Cup final. I’d say those two moments always stick in my head the most.

Who is the best FIFA player at Liverpool?

The best FIFA player at Liverpool is Jose Enrique, unfortunately. I have beaten him once. I think it was last pre-season or the pre-season before and he didn’t like it one bit. I think it would have been Real Madrid vs Barcelona. He wasn’t happy!

You’ve just started playing FIFA Ultimate Team. If money was no object, who would you sign for your Ultimate Team?

Messi.

Jordan Henderson is battling with Sergio Aguero, Thibaut Courtois, and Harry Kane in the race to join Lionel Messi on the UK cover of EA SPORTS FIFA 16. This year, for the first time ever, fans will dictate which player lines up alongside the Barcelona and Argentina ace. Vote at www.fifa16cover.co.uk #FIFA16UKcover