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We need to stop pretending that Henderson is captain material

By Georgia Goulding

LEICESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 23: Jordan Henderson of Liverpool complaines to the linesman after Leicester City score their first goal during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Liverpool at The King Power Stadium on September 23, 2017 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
LEICESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 23: Jordan Henderson of Liverpool complaines to the linesman after Leicester City score their first goal during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Liverpool at The King Power Stadium on September 23, 2017 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) /
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A jammy 1-0 win sees Jordan Henderson and the England team seal their place in the 2018 World Cup. The lads are off to celebrate the victory, but as a team there’s little to be proud of.

England’s home match at Wembley against Slovenia has to be one of the dullest football games I’ve ever sat through. The home crowd’s only eruption of noise was during the lone invader’s sprint across the pitch. Which people are comparing to Jordan Henderson’s lack of activity on the pitch.

Gareth Southgate’s side failed to break the mould until the fourth minute of added time where Harry Kane converted a cross in from Kyle Walker. The Premier League’s top scorer only just managed to roll one past Jan Oblak.

Raheem Sterling and Marcus Rashford were the only real influences on the pitch this evening. The more senior players were lethargic and clueless the majority of the game.

Unfit captain

Liverpool skipper and potential England captain Henderson has had a very poor night. But who’s surprised? Even though he wasn’t sporting the armband this evening, he should have still showcased his captaincy skills. Oh, wait…

His lacklustre performances are becoming extremely frequent and extremely frustrating to watch. No matter what jersey he pulls on, the Mackam seems to play out the same bang average displays.

For all English Liverpool fans, the torture is doubled.

LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 05: Jordan Henderson of England shouts during the FIFA 2018 World Cup Group F Qualifier between England and Slovenia at Wembley Stadium on October 5, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 05: Jordan Henderson of England shouts during the FIFA 2018 World Cup Group F Qualifier between England and Slovenia at Wembley Stadium on October 5, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) /

Henderson’s form has been disappointing since he was handed the armband. He has shown no real leadership or passion towards his club or his country.

The club’s decision for the Liverpool Number 14 to fill Steven Gerrard’s shoes was a questionable one. But with no other real captain contenders, he seemed up for the job.

In his second season as a captain, the 27-year-old is doing less than impressing. It’s part of parcel for skippers to score goals, create chances and defend danger balls. But more than that, it’s about raising team morale and having that fire-in-the-belly passion.

Stop the hype

With no players in the squad strong enough to captain Liverpool FC, Henderson remains top dog. But his poor performances and extreme lack of leadership is the equivalent of having no captain at all.

When will we stop overhyping an extremely mediocre player just because he’s Gerrard’s successor? When will we stop making excuses for his awful form because he was a good player once upon a time?

Next: The 25 WORST strikers in Liverpool history

It’s time to wake up and realise that if Henderson can barely captain Liverpool, in what world does he deserve to lead the England squad?

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