Nathan Brennan outlines what is to come for Liverpool skipper, Jordan Henderson after a season disjointed by injuries.
Coming into the 2015/16 season it was do or die, for Brendan Rodgers’ men. There was a need for an immediate impact from the players as the manager himself was under massive pressure. One player had Brendan’s faith placed upon him, Jordan Henderson. He was appointed captain of Liverpool after the departure of Steven Gerrard at the end of the 2014/15 season. Henderson had massive boots to fill.
Liverpool got off to a slow start with unconvincing wins and a humiliating defeat to West Ham. The pressure was building on, not just Brendan, but also the players to begin performing. However the midfielder suffered an early season injury which kept him out for three months, missing crucial games for the Reds. Hendo was also injured for the sacking of Brendan Rodgers after a 1-1 draw at Goodison Park.
He was also to remain injured for the appointment of Jürgen Klopp, which in my opinion had affected his impact as a player. It’s difficult to come back from three months out and not only get back into regular football, but into a new manager’s style of play. It must have been a difficult time of adjustment for Henderson.
Eventually he put together a streak of games after recovering from injury, very few of these games did he impress in. But, we all know Henderson’s quality from the past such as the famous 13/14 season. It would come to a point that another injury setback was due for the Liverpool skipper with him picking up an injury during a Europa league game.
It ruled him out for the rest of the season and Euro 2016 (or so it seemed) but Henderson regained enough fitness to be on the bench for Liverpool’s last Premier League game of the season which was a 1-1 draw with West Bromwich Albion and he was also on the bench for Liverpool’s 1-3 loss in the Europa League final. Overall, Hendo hasn’t impressed this season due to injury and adjustment to a new manager. I personally would give Henderson two more seasons to prove himself as we all know he has the quality. Overall I would rate his season a 4/10 although it may seem harsh, I take into the account the setbacks he suffered.
As for the future of Henderson’s Liverpool career he could be in jeopardy as we have come to know Klopp as a no nonsense and ruthless manager. He used his first seven months in charge to evaluate the current crop of players and to be in contention for next season you’d have to have proven yourself to Jürgen within the last seven months – which isn’t what Henderson did whatsoever. So hopefully Jürgen places his trust and gives Hendo at the very least, one more season to prove himself as not only a Liverpool captain, but as a Liverpool player.
Featured Image – Rush the Kop