Henderson should be tracking his runner he’s the closest man, he is surely aware that Fabinho isn’t in the position to cover for him, likewise he should be aware that Angeliño is currently goal side of Alexander-Arnold. The second was a case of defensive passiveness, a leading cause of goals conceded the world over. He used his initiative and on this occasion it didn’t work out. This is a game happening at breakneck speed, you have fractions of seconds to decide your course of action. The first shows a wrong decision was made, it happens in top flight football.
Henderson isn’t the only culpable party here, there are other Liverpool players out of position in both instances,and wrong decisions are made but this is a review of Jordan Henderson. Liverpool escape with the clean-sheet, for the time being. Angeliño is free to pick up the ball mid-stride inside the Liverpool area, and move between defenders. Alexander-Arnold isn’t able to cut between man and ball, the pass it too accurate. The through-ball by De Bruyne is executed perfectly, typical of a player so adept at creating, and there’s a cute dummy on the edge of the box. Alexander-Arnold tries to move inside, as he should, Angeliño advances unmarked into the box. Instead of tracking his runner, Henderson points and gestures for Alexander-Arnold to track him. When the short pass is played, the Man City wing-back simply must be Henderson’s man. Henderson is the closest man, he engages. Liverpool were organised in a decent defensive shape when Angeliño is on the ball. The ball is again picked up by Angeliño – the Spanish wing-back was among Man City’s most effective attacking players – who plays a short pass to Kevin De Bruyne and makes his diagonal run. Here we have an example of Liverpool not organising well enough, and Henderson (among others) showing a lack of focus. They often punish teams who are organised and focused much the same. If you’re not organised – stubbornly organised, and if you’re not focused, they will punish you. They thrive on movement, intelligent positioning, outnumbering defenders in key offensive areas. Manchester City are arguably the toughest team to defend against in Europe. How does the Liverpool captain galvanise his team, unsettle opponents – opponents of the highest calibre, on this occasion – display technique, guile, tenacity and passion, and most importantly, how does he lead by example? Liverpool’s win over Manchester City was a momentous occasion for the club, a game which the Red half of the city can take a lot of pride in.
But how is he as a football player? That’s why we’re here, after all. Jordan is a very, very likeable, relatable Wearside man. Trials and tribulations at a club he loves representing, beaming with pride when lifting Europe’s elite trophy, tears in his eyes as he embraces his dad. Endorsed, championed, and captained by Jürgen Klopp. At times criticised by those who don’t know him, at times idolised by those who do. Jordan Henderson captain, son, husband, father. Jamie Carragher’s The Greatest Game Podcast episode 3 “I always respect the players around us, and I know how good the players are it’s not a case of ‘I should be starting’, it’s more a case of ‘what can I do to get in the team” – Jordan Henderson.
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