HENDO HOLE HARD TO FILL
JORDAN Henderson is on course to create a little piece of personal history at the end of this season.
The impressive Liverpool captain is favourite to be crowned ‘Player of the Year’ following a hugely consistent campaign with the champions-inwaiting.
Should he pip team-mates Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold plus Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne to the award, the achievement will be unique in more ways than one.
Not only will it be the first time he has won it, but he will also become the first player to do so who is not irreplaceable in his respective side.
That is the view of some people who watch Liverpool week in and week out – and it’s an interesting argument.
Jurgen Klopp has built a well-oiled machine on Merseyside, one that will be without Henderson for up to three weeks with a damaged hamstring.
There is no need to panic at Anfield but, having watched an hour of their clash with West Ham last night, it was difficult to ignore the fact Henderson was not out there in the middle.
Manchester United have struggled to cope without Marcus Rashford, as have Tottenham without Harry Kane, while Manchester City look a poor imitation of themselves when De Bruyne is stuck on the sidelines. Now here were the unstoppable Reds struggling themselves to cope without the midfield general who does all the hard yards some people struggle to appreciate.
Henderson is a fine player.
He remains the heartbeat of his team, the relentless link between his teammates and their manager.
He deserves to be voted the best player of the season because his enthusiasm, work rate and leadership have all helped drive the Reds to astonishing heights.
He deserves to win the award because here was the glaring evidence of how less powerful the Reds are without him.
The gaping hole left in the Reds’ engine room was filled by Naby Keita, but the £52m man struggled to make a significant impression.
He isn’t Henderson. The mantra on Anfield remains there is nothing to be gained from dwelling on individuals.
No problem. But when someone who cost as much as Keita cannot paper over the crack, it offers rivals a glimmer of hope that there might just be some chink in Klopp’s formidable outfit.
Hence why Henderson should win the top award.
JEREMY CROSS