Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson facing an uncertain future at Anfield
According to The Athletic (Subscription Required), Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson is facing an uncertain future heading into the 2020/21 season.
The English international joined the club from Sunderland in 2011. Handed the armband in 2014, he has gone on to establish himself as a key cog in Jurgen Klopp’s machine. He has so far made 392 appearances for the Reds, scoring 30 goals and making 51 assists. (h/t Transfermarkt)
The 31-year-old is not getting any younger and struggled with injury last season. But the difference he makes to the midfield is more than palpable. While not the best technically, he makes up for it with sheer athleticism and reading of the game.
Henderson has two years left on his deal and it remains to be seen if he will have a future beyond that at Anfield. The situation is reminiscent of what happened with Gini Wijnaldum this summer.
FSG have a policy of investing in youth and Henderson will be 33 by the time his contract expires. While the Liverpool owners have made exceptions, as seen with James Milner, whether they will do the same with Henderson remains to be seen.
The situation has garnered the interest of both Paris Saint-Germain and Atletico Madrid, who are both keeping tabs on Henderson. The veteran midfielder doesn’t just have the skills of a top-level leader but has also performed in the big games on a consistent basis. PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino is a fan of the player and could have a better shot at landing him than Atletico, who could struggle to finance a move.
There is no shortage of leaders in the Liverpool dressing room. The likes of Virgil van Dijk, Andrew Robertson and Mohamed Salah among others are all vocal players capable of inspiring those around them.
But Henderson is the man who led the club to their sixth European Cup and the 19th league title. He might be getting older but has shown little to suggest he is slowing down. Liverpool will need to rebuild their team in the coming years but letting go of Henderson would be a bit premature.
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Henderson is a player who divides the Liverpool fanbase. One thing that cannot be argued is his conduct on and off the field as the club’s skipper. Following in Steven Gerrard’s footsteps was never an easy task but the 31-year-old has done justice to the trust placed in him. The least the club can do is to repay it, especially so given he still has a few years left in him.
