Stan Collymore has drooled over the impact Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson made in the win over Southampton on Friday night, calling him a “mature footballer”.
Henderson came on as a substitute in the 59th minute for Gini Wijnaldum – who started alongside Fabinho and Naby Keita – and Collymore was clearly impressed by the way he “injected energy and eagerness” into the side upon his introduction.
The £140,000-a-week [Spotrac] ace was amongst the goalscorers on Friday night, netting Liverpool’s third to put the game to bed in the 88th minute after Mo Salah scored the winner.
“Have been critical of Hendo over the years but no Hendo, no win tonight. Injected energy and eagerness into his team at a critical point and relished it. A mature man and a mature footballer who’s accepted a huge armband and responsibility under a very bright spotlight,” he said on his personal Twitter account.
Have been critical of Hendo over the years but no Hendo, no win tonight.
Injected energy and eagerness into his team at a critical point and relished it.
A mature man and a mature footballer who's accepted a huge armband and responsibility under a very bright spotlight.
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— Stan Collymore (@StanCollymore) April 5, 2019
OPINION
Collymore is absolutely spot on here about the impact Henderson made when he came onto the pitch. Like he pointed out, if he had not come on when he did, the Reds would not have been flattered by the eventual scoreline. Liverpool were lucky to win in the manner that they did, and if Henderson had not come on, perhaps they would have lost even more ground in the Premier League title race. That being said, he was fantastic when he came on, and he was just the extra injection of energy that the team needed to lift them over the line. Henderson has received many criticisms for his displays and rightly so, but that could not be said for Friday night. The fans will no doubt be hoping that this is a regular thing from Henderson from now on, as he has definitely made a great case to start Liverpool’s Champions League quarter-final tie with Porto next week.
