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Football

05th Mar 2018

Pundit makes huge claim about Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson

Is he really as good as last season's Player of the Year?

Darragh Murphy

Jordan Henderson is not a bad player by any stretch of the imagination but perhaps his talent has been overhyped by one pundit this week.

Henderson had one of his better games in recent times against Newcastle on Saturday evening, when the former Sunderland player turned it on against the Magpies and condemned them to a 2-0 defeat at Anfield.

While the Liverpool captain plays a different kind of game entirely to the Reds’ free-scoring front three, his work was greatly appreciated by former Aston Villa, Chelsea and Republic of Ireland forward Tony Cascarino.

Writing in his Times column, Cascarino remains adamant that Henderson is as good in his position as the likes of last season’s Player of the Season, N’Golo Kante.

It’s not so long ago that Kante was being touted as one of the world’s best holding midfielders and while Henderson is undeniably a reliable option in linking defence and attack, we’re sure rival fans will dispute the comparison between Henderson and Kante.

Cascarino wrote: “When I hear fans criticising Jordan Henderson I think: ‘am I watching a different game.’ He is as important to Liverpool as all their flair players.

“He keeps things simple, he robs the ball off the opposition and brings energy to the midfield. He also chips in with the odd goal.

“Henderson’s work allows the creative players to express themselves; on Saturday, he allowed Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to get forward to set up the opening goal for Mo Salah.

“I was talking about this on the radio yesterday and someone said that he’s not as good as Nemanja Matic at Manchester United, but I don’t see it.

“Matic, Fernandinho at Manchester City and N’Golo Kanté at Chelsea get the praise for that role, but Henderson does it as well as anyone else.”

It’s safe to say that not everybody agreed with the claim…

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