Phil Thompson has heaped praise on Jordan Henderson and the vital role he plays in midfield for Liverpool.
The Sky Sports pundit claimed the England international is pivotal behind the success of the Reds’ prolific front-three, and his discipline allows the likes of Mohamed Salah to have as much freedom as they like in the final third.
Thompson couldn’t understand why the Liverpool captain comes under so much criticism and claimed he deserves more credit for the role he plays for Jurgen Klopp’s side.
“If people want to pick on somebody, Jordan is the whipping boy,” he said on Sky Sports Soccer Saturday (02/11 2:51 pm).
“You know what you get with Jordan, and that’s what I admire about him. He brings this energy – him, Wijanldum, and Fabinho.
“They may not be the most creative, but they bring is, they allow those three front lads to score all the goals that they do, and Jordan is a vital part of that.”
The 29-year-old has started seven games in the Premier League this season, and once again captained the Reds in Saturday’s clash at Aston Villa.
OPINION
There is no hiding from the fact that Henderson is targeted by Liverpool fans whenever something doesn’t go right for their club in the past couple of seasons. It is exactly the same when the midfielder takes to the park for England, but Thompson is right – his clubs would be a lot worst off if they didn’t have him in the middle of the pitch. Henderson highlighted his importance to the Reds when popping up with the all-important equaliser against Tottenham last time out. The 29-year-old has averaged 1.9 tackles per game so far this season according to WhoScored, only Fabinho has averaged more so far. Henderson is a vital part, and the fact he continues to be integral for Liverpool despite all of the critics he has is all credit to him, and he will be pivotal if the Reds are to win their first-ever Premier League title this season.
