Errors cut up Wilder
HEAD-TO-HEAD Henderson was given the daunting job of taking over from Gerrard as skipper and has delivered the one trophy to elude Liverpool’s ‘greatest-ever’ star
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AMID the tidal wave of relief as Liverpool finally delivered the holy grail of the Premier League title, one message passed largely unnoticed.
It was from Steven Gerrard, the legend who had carried the burden of history at Anfield for so long. It read: “Couldn’t have passed it to a better person... proud of you, mate.” A simple message, yes. But passionate and heartfelt. Gerrard was, of course, speaking about handing his armband directly to his friend and former team-mate Jordan Henderson, the captain who finally delivered on burning expectation by leading Liverpool to the one trophy which has consumed them for 30 years. What Gerrard was indicating is the truth that those around Melwood, the Liverpool training ground, have acknowledged for several years: Henderson not only typifies the work ethic and sacrifice that underscores Jurgen Klopp’s side, he defines it.
The leadership he delivers is crucial, setting a standard which others strive to match. Without him, this would be a very different Liverpool. As Gerrard has acknowledged: “He is selfless, he puts everyone above himself.” Henderson is genuinely one of the good guys and those who know the work he does on and off the pitch hope he gets some of the recognition he warrants.
“He deserves every bit of praise,” said Gerrard – especially after years of unkind
FROM BACK PAGE for me and this club has been so important.
“I was devastated in 2014 that we couldn’t get over the line for him but I know that he will be so happy and so proud of this team to be able to bring the Premier League trophy to comparisons, even from his own fans. Yet the player himself has no time for indulgence, and less time for the idea that he can now stand alongside Gerrard as one of the great Liverpool captains.
When asked about succeeding Gerrard and delivering what he couldn’t, Henderson shook his head vigorously even before the question was finished. “No, no,” he said.
“I have said this before when I first took over the role of the captaincy, when people might have doubted me: No one will replace Steven Gerrard at this football club, no matter what captains or teams win.
“No one will ever replace him. It wasn’t even in my mind when I took over the captaincy to replace him, it was just to do the best I could, the best for this club and this team.
That is all I ever try to do.”
Henderson
(with Klopp, right) hasn’t replaced him but he has continued the lineage and in some areas has been able to improve on it, in a better side under Klopp’s inspired management.
He has done it by being the ultimate team
Liverpool and, yes, to do it for him is big.”
Gerrard was this week voted Liverpool’s greatest-ever player in a poll conducted by a national radio station and both Henderson and manager Jurgen Klopp have spoken of his role in laying the foundations for man – Klopp’s type of leader. And a small but important footnote in his Liverpool career proves the point. When he arrived at Anfield from Sunderland in 2011, he took the No.14 shirt. He still has it, even though as captain he could have claimed a more iconic number, as even Gerrard did. He began with the No.17 before swapping to No.8. Henderson will not rest now. He will not bask in the glory.
He said: “I haven’t even thought about stuff like that (the first English captain to lift the four trophies he has). I’m just honoured to give back the fans what they have wanted so badly.”
And he will demand even higher standards.
“Well it’s not particularly hard to be honest when you’ve got the group that we’ve got,” he said. “There’s a lot more to come because we can still do better and still be better. “The focus will be on what we can achieve next season and what we want to do as a team. “And I know that hunger will always be there. We have just got to go out and show everyone that is the case.” As long as he is there, they will. Henderson has some years left at the top still. success. The former Anfield leader took to social media to express his admiration for skipper Henderson after lifting the title, writing: “Proud of you, mate.” And Henderson believes it will end some of the pain for his close friend.
He said: “This is not only for us and the fans, it is also for players like Stevie and Kenny Dalglish, who mean so much to this club.”
Liverpool’s first title in 30 years was sealed when Chelsea, the Anfield party poopers six years ago, beat Manchester City last week.
SOL CAMPBELL has left his job as Southend boss by mutual consent.
The former England defender, 45, joined the Essex-coast side in October, but could not prevent their drop in to League Two.
The Shrimpers had won just four of their 35 games when the League One season was curtailed by the coronavirus pandemic.
Also departing Roots Hall are Campbell’s coaches Hermann Hreidarsson, Andy Cole and Tony Colbert.
Campbell (above) said: “I really enjoyed my time at Southend and whilst it was difficult fighting relegation, I enjoyed the experience.
“We still managed to put together positive results, while giving debuts to a number of the club’s talented young players.
“There are frustrations with how the season ended, and with the points we feel could have been amassed.”
A Southend spokesman said: “We are grateful to Sol for his contribution. His use of the club’s young talent was a breath of fresh air.”
Campbell’s departure means there are now only five BAME managers in England’s top four tiers.
CHRIS WILDER says his showdown with Jose Mourinho tomorrow will pit the Special One against the Frustrated One.
Wilder (below) admits he is tearing out his hair at the individual mistakes by his Blades players.
“If Jose is the Special One, I’m the not-soSpecial One,” the Sheffield United boss said before the clash at Bramall Lane.
“I’m the very-veryfrustrated-with-his-team one! We have to cut the silly errors out – they’re absolutely killing us.
“The goals we conceded haven’t been from us being disjointed defensively and being all over the place, they’ve come from individual errors.”