JORDAN QUALITY CAN GIVE US LIFT
...WHILE OLD HAND IS READY TO ROAR AGAIN His experience is vital says Warnock
STEPHEN WARNOCK has backed the decision to include Jordan Henderson in England’s Euro 2020 squad – despite a lack of action. Anfield skipper Henderson, who serves as vice-captain behind Harry Kane for the Three Lions, was an unused substitute for England’s first two games of the tournament against Croatia and Scotland.
In both fixtures, manager Gareth Southgate opted to play Kalvin Phillips and Declan Rice in central midfield roles.
Henderson’s inclusion in the squad had been questioned by a number of pundits, including Roy Keane.
The 31-year-old midfielder underwent surgery in February and only featured in his country’s final warm-up game against Romania at the Riverside earlier this month.
Former Liverpool defender Warnock (above) believes having Henderson in the camp makes perfect sense though.
“His attributes off the field have shone through in the Covid-19 situation. It speaks volumes about the character he is,” he said.
“I fully expect him to play a part. He’s got the leadership qualities and knows how to handle that big-game pressure.
“Henderson has been in situations that Kalvin Phillips and Declan Rice simply haven’t.
“He understands the huge demands that can come with being in that central role and playing for England.” Having been signed from
Sunderland for around £16million in 2011, Henderson endured a tough start to his Anfield career.
The then Anfield boss
Brendan Rodgers famously wanted to swap him for
Fulham’s Clint Dempsey after just 12 months.
But after snubbing a move to Craven Cottage, the midfielder dug in and silenced his doubters.
Rodgers eventually went on to appoint Henderson as Liverpool’s captain following Steven Gerrard’s departure in the summer of 2015.
“He’s arguably been more successful than Gerrard as Liverpool skipper,” added Warnock.
“But when you think how his career changed at Liverpool, the club were initially looking to offload him.
‘‘He must have had to put in so much time and dedication to turn it around.
“Some players will accept defeat and walk away, take a new challenge and decide it’s not working at a certain club.
“He didn’t do that.you can see his professionalism, attitude and desire to prove people wrong.
“He wants to show how good he is and for so many years he’s been underrated.
“But now people understand the quality he’s got – and rightly so.”