Jose Enrique reveals what he told Jordan Henderson last year in Madrid
According to the Anfield Wrap (h/t Liverpool Echo), former Liverpool defender Jose Enrique has revealed what he told Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson following the Reds’ triumph in the UEFA Champions League final against Tottenham Hotspur.
Enrique spent five seasons at Anfield, establishing himself as a regular in the side. He was at the stadium in Madrid to watch his former teammate Henderson lift the club’s sixth European crown.
The Reds skipper moved to Anfield at the age of 20 in a move worth £20million. The figure raised eyebrows at the time and has been used as a stick to beat the player whenever he has failed to perform, at times unfairly so.
“That’s what I love about Jordan, he proved himself to everyone.”
Jose Enrique has praised former teammate Jordan Henderson
The decision to name Henderson as the Liverpool skipper after Steven Gerrard also led to mixed feelings within the fanbase. Enrique believes that it is unfair to compare Henderson to Gerrard.
The former Liverpool No.8 is one of the club’s finest ever players with few coming close to his contribution and loyalty to the club. Henderson is no Gerrard, but that does not mean he isn’t his own man.
Elite company
He has time and again proved detractors wrong and is now one of just the fifth Liverpool skipper to lift the European Cup in the club’s illustrious history. Speaker to Henderson after the party, Enrique wasted no time in reminding him that he has proved his quality to everyone.
“You lifted that trophy. You won the Champions League, you are an unbelievable captain.”
Jordan Henderson has led from the front
Enrique has also backed the skipper to win the Player of the Year award. Henderson has been a true leader both on and off the pitch. He leads from the front as Liverpool pulled clear of their rivals in the Premiership this season.
“He has been unbelievable not just on the pitch but off the pitch. When he wasn’t on the pitch, you can see you miss him.”
A key component in Jurgen Klopp’s midfield, his absence was keenly felt when he was out injured.
Henderson is the Reds’ longest-serving player on the current roster. He may not be the best player in the Red shirt but he has proven to be a true leader and an inspiration to all. If anything, he has done every player who wore the Liverpool armband before him proud.
