Liverpool are storming towards their first Premier League title in three decades, knocking records for six along the way, but does the Reds’ captain Jordan Henderson get enough credit for his side’s success?
Last weekend, Henderson was on the scoresheet as his side thrashed Southampton 4-0 at Anfield, sending them top of the Premier League by a record-breaking 22 points as second-placed Manchester City and third-placed Leicester City failed to pick up wins.
That victory made it 24 wins from Liverpool’s 25 league games this season – the other ending a draw – and brought the Reds’ winning run of home games in the league to 20.
Jürgen Klopp’s men also haven’t been beaten in the league since last January when they lost to Pep Guardiola’s title-winning side by millimetres – racking up nearly 400 days without a defeat, and if you bet on football with Betfair, you’ll see that their unbeaten record is likely to continue with a win away at Norwich in just under a fortnight.
The Reds are now just seven games away from winning the Premier League and to make it even sweeter for the Merseyside faithful, who have waited an extremely lengthy period of time for this moment, they could secure it against City at the Etihad Stadium, while bitter rivals Everton would also be obliged to give Liverpool a ‘guard of honour’ should they wrap up the league before the sides meet at the start of next month.
As Liverpool’s title drought comes to an end, you can’t help but feel relieved for Henderson, who was nearly swapped for Fulham’s Clint Dempsey under the reign of Brendan Rodgers after just one season at Anfield.
The 29-year-old has faced much criticism and stick in his nine-year tenure at Liverpool, but it will be the England international who gets the final laugh as he lifts the Premier League trophy above his head and adds it to his cabinet next to the Champions League.
Klopp’s transformation of the club has already seen Liverpool go from below mediocre to European and World Champions and nobody has benefited more under the German than Henderson.
Once in Steven Gerrard’s shadow, constantly being compared to the Liverpool legend, Henderson is now favourite for the PFA Player of the Year award, and the northern lad’s year could get even better as, if you’re after more football betting tips, England are front-runners to win Euro 2020.
Usually operating as a deep midfielder, the 29-year-old uses his unlimited energy and intensity to make his presence known in the centre of the park, while he still has the ability to add goals and assists further forward.
His goal against the Saints on Saturday brought his league tally to three, the most goals he has scored in a season since 2014-15, whilst he has provided a further four assists.
Henderson also looked a much calmer figure on the pitch at the weekend against Ralph Hasenhüttl’s side, more the look of a man who knows he’s playing at the top of his game compared to the emotions he has shown in the past when his anger suggested he needed to prove the world wrong.
The Reds’ captain went through the mediocre period at the club and has come out the other end a new player basking in the glory. He has showed he is the ‘complete midfielder’ this season and has worked tirelessly for the plaudits he is now receiving.
