I’M FOREVER IN DEBT TO PAL PICKERS
JORDAN HENDERSON admits he will be in debt to Jordan Pickford for the rest of his life.
England were staring down a barrel when Henderson’s penalty in the shoot-out against Colombia put the South American side 3-2 ahead after three attempts each.
But after Colombia missed their next penalty, Pickford came up with the most important save of his life to deny Carlos Bacca, giving Eric Dier the platform to fire his side into the quarter-finals.
Pickford’s heroics also ensured Henderson stretched a remarkable record. The Liverpool captain has now gone 28 games without losing in an England shirt, more than any other player.
“You obviously fear the worst when you miss the penalty but Pickers has done brilliantly with the save,” said Henderson of his fellow former Sunderland star.
“I can’t thank him enough, I’m forever in his debt. He says the Mackems stick together.
“I’m just so relieved we got over the line. Hopefully, we can now build on this.”
Pickford and Henderson play for Merseyside rivals Everton and Liverpool but their Wearside roots means they have formed a strong bond on international duty.
“I said ‘Jesus, I’ve helped you out there, lad’,” said Pickford. “That’s team-mates, isn’t it? A bit of craic. We’re together so when one goes down, we’ve got to pick them back up.” Henderson’s recollections of his horror moment are blurred.
“I can hardly remember it,” said the 28-year-old midfielder. “I just went through the process that I normally do, that I’ve been working on. “Maybe it was a good height for the keeper if anything, it needed to be higher or lower but with penalties you can miss or there can be a good save but thankfully the lads dug me out.”
On his way back to the centre circle, Henderson (right) was met by Kieran Trippier, who took his hand and consoled him.
“That just shows what a really close group we are,” said Henderson. “I think you can see that.
“It’s difficult when you miss and nothing can be said that’s going to make it alright but it’s not about me, it doesn’t really matter now, we won and that’s the main thing.
“We now need to recover and prepare well for Sweden.”
Henderson has yet to break his scoring duck for England but would have no hesitation in volunteering to be one of the penalty takers again.
But he will not complain if Gareth Southgate decides does not nominate him should England face another shoot-out in Russia.
He said: “It wouldn’t put me off but it might put Gareth off!
“I’d take another one but obviously it’s down to the manager and I would understand if he chose someone else.”