Henderson’s role at Liverpool explains why Jurgen Klopp answered the question
Jordan Henderson won eight trophies during his time at Liverpool, including seven as captain, but some critics have questioned his future.
Charlie Adam has backed the ‘magnificent’ Jordan Henderson to continue as Liverpool captain after Jurgen Klopp criticized a journalist for questioning the skipper’s future.
Henderson, 32, has won eight trophies and made nearly 500 appearances for the Reds since joining from Sunderland in the summer of 2011. He succeeded Steven Gerrard as captain four years after his arrival and played a key role in their success under Klopp.
Charlie Adam has backed the ‘magnificent’ Jordan Henderson to continue as Liverpool captain after Jurgen Klopp criticized a journalist for questioning the skipper’s future.
Henderson, 32, has won eight trophies and made nearly 500 appearances for the Reds since joining from Sunderland in the summer of 2011. He succeeded Steven Gerrard as captain four years after his arrival and played a key role in their success under Klopp.
Yet Henderson’s role at Liverpool has come into question this season as Klopp’s side struggle to qualify for the Champions League. The Community Shield holders will not win a major trophy this season and sit in fourth place, six points behind Tottenham.
Some critics believe it’s time for Klopp to rebuild his Liverpool squad, but Adam thinks Henderson will be around for a while.
Adam joined Anfield from Blackpool in the same summer as Henderson, before joining Stoke 12 months later. Speaking to Mirror Football on behalf of the EFL’s Together – Supporting Communities initiative, Adam was asked if he sees Henderson succeeding Gerrard as Liverpool skipper.
Adam replied: “Over the years he’s become a leader and a voice in the Premier League – in terms of what he’s done during the pandemic and what he’s done for his country. It was amazing .
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“Whoever replaced Steven Gerrard as captain was always difficult, but you can do it in different ways. I think Jordan handled Liverpool extremely well; I think he was a real leader and captain. He is a boy who has put everything into his career. He was involved for a number of years and was rewarded with such a fine career.
“But I don’t think he’s going to stop. I think he still has a lot of time ahead of him and he still has a lot to give to Liverpool. He was brilliant…the longer he stays at Liverpool the more successful they will be.”
Henderson has won the Premier League title, Champions League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup, Club World Cup, European Super Cup and Community Shield since being skippered by Liverpool. However, some fans want Klopp to overhaul his midfield with Jude Bellingham considered a transfer target.
Klopp was asked about Henderson’s role in the squad last month. “I don’t understand why we are talking about a player, I am serious,” replied the German. “Everyone knows how much I respect him. I hate to say it, but it’s true, you’re incapable of dealing with this kind of thing.
“A player becomes the subject: ‘Henderson is this, Henderson is that’. Hendo is not our problem. He never was and never will be. When he’s fit and in good shape, he’s played 98% of the games we have played. He played all those games because he is a very, very, very important player for us.
“There’s nothing… I understand that you have to think about the issues, but I can’t answer that question. Yes, he is important and how much we missed him, a lot.
Adam spoke at Blackpool FC for the EFL ‘Together – Supporting Communities’ campaign which was supported by EFL partner eBay by providing nearly 3,000 playing cards. “They [Blackpool] support a lot of families in the area,” says Adam. “[It works] five times a week, in terms of food and heating and getting the kids to play…just to help the community. It’s where I live. I understand what’s going on in the area…it needs help and support, and the soccer team reached out because the owner is a local boy and wants to join the community. “It’s a great initiative. Sometimes it’s 150 people. I think around 150 people come every night at Christmas. Those numbers have slowed down a bit [as we get closer to summer] but they will always be 50 or 60 people per night… It’s great that the football club is ready to support this and help the community.