Oh captain, my captain – a homage to Jordan Henderson
Many Liverpool fans, most of football punditry have savaged and disparaged Jordan Henderson over his years of faithful service to the Liverpool side.
My self included; countless times I’ve wrung my hands over Henderson. ‘He’s too slow afoot, he is out of position, his link-up play is often found lacking’ etc. etc. And for the most part all these things are true.
Since his arrival at the club in 2011, he was predominantly a central midfielder, an understudy to legendary midfielder, Steven Gerrard. These are tough shoes to fill. After Stevie retired, Hendo was tipped to take the helm and fill those irreplaceable shoes.
Clearly he is no Steven Gerrard, nor is he in league with Kevin De Bruyne at Man City, Eden Hazard at Chelsea or even a Christian Eriksen at Spurs. These are all world class players, and for most of his time at Liverpool he never showed the skills and football nous to enter that elite club of midfielders.
But something amazing has happened with Hendo over these past 10 months, indeed, he has pushed his level of play beyond anything we’ve seen from him in past lackluster efforts. He is making fools of all of us who have not given him the just due and credit he deserves. Jordan Henderson is a blue-collar lunchbox type of player, making up in effort and heart what his perceived lack of skills cannot ever overshadow. He never quits, he never gives up.
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Just take a pause and consider what this lad has done this year. Champions league silverware, Super Cup won, Club WC in the bag (an achievement no other English side has accomplished: not even the ‘Invincibles of Arsenal or Sir Alex’s treble winning side) he has captained this Liverpool team to the brink of the unbelievably rarified air of league dominance.
In so doing, he has played at center back, right back, #6 defensive midfielder, central attacking midfielder #8 and #7. In short Henderson has been everywhere on the pitch. He is clearly, far and away the most improved member of Jurgen Klopp’s talent laden crew. His work rate is phenomenal, and unrivaled (except perhaps by James Milner – an absolute beast when work rate is considered).
This is why Gareth Southgate continues to hold Henderson as an integral part of the English national side, which will challenge for the Euro this summer.
There has been talk of late that Hendo should be a candidate for EPL player of the year… this is a no-brainer. Only Danny Ings at Southampton has shown the kind of improvement over past seasons that Jordan has in these past months. Since this award is decided in mid April there should be no question Jordan Henderson is player of the year in the EPL. It isn’t even a close call.
So I tip my hat to you Jordan Henderson with egg on my face…for having so little faith in you for so long. No one could be happier that it has turned out this way, you have finally made believers out of doubters! Having been weighed and measured, You have proven beyond doubt Your quality. Bravo!
dark. Next. Every single Jordan Henderson goal for Liverpool ranked
‘Oh Captain, my Captain…our fateful journey is nearly run
‘The ship has weathered every rack
‘That long sought prize nearly won’*
And so I stand with you; our Captain, with heads held high and fist pumps to the crowd,
You deserve every credit kind Sir for a masterful display of ‘Never Quit’!!
By the by Jordan; congrats to the new addition to the family.
*footnote: Oh Captain, my Captain is a metaphorical homage from a poem by Walt Whitman from the mid 1860’s
Words by Paul Landwehr.