Czechs: Harry is weak link
Tomorrow: Czech Republic (h) 7.45pm Monday: Montenegro (a) 7.45pm
Sat Sept 7: Bulgaria (h) 5pm
Tue Sept 10: Kosovo (h) 7:45pm
Fr Oct 11: Czech Republic (a) 7:45pm Mon Oct 14: Bulgaria (a) 7:45pm
Thu Nov 14: Montenegro (h) 7:45pm Sun Nov 17: Kosovo (a) 5pm JORDAN HENDERSON captains the Premier League leaders, wore the armband in last season’s Champions League final, and anchored England’s midfield in a campaign that took them to the last four of the World Cup. He has made over 300 Premier League appearances and, should he feature against the Czech Republic tomorrow and Montenegro on Monday, his tally of international caps will reach half a century. Yet, every day, Henderson feels he has to prove himself. Not only because his position with both club and country is coming under increasing pressure, but because he has won next to nothing.
There is a League Cup winners’ medal from 2012 (right, below), when he was hooked after less than an hour (right, top) of the final as Liverpool, who went on to succeed in a penalty shootout, trailed to Cardiff. And that is it. Medals, individual accolades and acclaim have been thin on the ground. And trying to rectify that situation is what continues to drive Henderson, 28, particularly in the wake of the nearmisses with England and Liverpool last year. He explains: “I think it always stays with you, those moments. It gives you even more motivation to then keep going, keep wanting to be in that position again to make it right, and go that final step really. “It’s definitely an extra motivation I use. Maybe I had a little taste of it playing in finals, but I haven’t really managed to win the big trophies and now that’s the next step really.”
Henderson does not want for extra motivation, as he finds his place in starting XIs coming under increasing scrutiny.
Even though he is the Reds’ club skipper, Henderson – who has had the odd injury and suspension issue – has started only 15 Premier League matches for Liverpool this season as competition for midfield slots under Jurgen Klopp has intensified.
And while he remains a favourite of Gareth Southgate’s, the central midfield area remains England’s prime concern, hence the fast-tracking of Republic of Ireland deserter Declan Rice.
Henderson says: “I have always wanted to fight, no matter what position I am in, whether that is Liverpool or England.
“I need to do more and do better because you have younger players, or players that get signed for the club and push you and want to take your place. You have to be better than them.
“My whole career, I have always wanted to show how good I am and I have always wanted to improve. When you play for Liverpool and England, you have good players around you and you want to compete with the best.
“I have to keep being consistent, keep improving, and keep using my experience as well.”
Henderson is relishing the season’s finale with Liverpool and hopes their title challenge signals a major long-term resurgence.
He said: “This is the first time we’ve really challenged for the league for a while and, hopefully, it’s not just this season, it’s for the next two, three, four seasons, if not longer.
“That’s the most important thing for the team. But we’ll give it everything now to make sure we can become champions.”
In the meantime, he insists his focus is on England and helping Southgate’s exciting squad develop into tournament winners.
He added: “These younger players have so much talent. It’s good for England because I can see in a few years we are going to have big, big players. The future is bright with these players.
“And it is up to me to try and help them when they come here – help them feel comfortable, perform and go out in a game, and do what they do for their clubs.”
As well as trying to keep his own place, presumably. FROM BACK PAGE
Rashford as well, Raheem Sterling is in great form.
“The attack is very strong. And defence... I don’t say it’s not strong as well, but it’s not as strong as the attack.
“For example Maguire, we talked about him at Burnley before we played against Leicester.
“In some moments it seems he doesn’t know what’s happening behind him, that’s why he got a red card after four minutes.
“England would surely like to hold the ball and play a possession game, so we have to be close to them.
“Don’t be afraid to kick them three or four times – then they may change the plan and play just one or two touches.”
Vydra’s Clarets teammates James Tarkowski and Tom Heaton are in the England squad and he added: “We talked about the game and I hope we’ll get a good result. If so, I can taunt them for a long time.”
Vydra has been a bit-part player at Burnley this term, but said he was blocked from leaving in January, despite boss Sean Dyche saying he does not smile enough in training.
The forward, 26, said: “I had six offers to go on loan, but the manager told me that he needs me.
“He also said I’m not smiling enough in training.
“It’s hard for me. I’m not like Brazilians, smiling all the time. If I’m not playing, maybe it’s noticeable that I’m frustrated.”