Can Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson take his game to another level after signing a new deal?
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is adamant that captain Jordan Henderson is ready to reach another level, but will the extra competition in midfield prevent it from happening?
The 28-year-old signed a new-long term contract at Anfield on Monday, as the club’s skipper committed his future to them.
He has developed into a mainstay in the starting XI in recent years and the England international is a pass master that usually dominates possession in the centre of the park.
Klopp has paid the central midfielder a major compliment by insisting that he can still improve to another level, despite starring last season during Liverpool’s run to the Champions League final and helping England reach a World Cup semi-final.
“The best thing is, I think – in fact, I know – he will get even better in these coming years,” Klopp said, as quoted by the club’s official website.
“And this improvement will come from a very high base already.
“Jordan is so important to us and we are very fortunate as a club to have this person commit to us as he has.”
Henderson has remarkably had to be patient so far this season, making his first start at the weekend in the fourth game of the campaign away to Leicester.
The midfielder was restricted to cameo roles in the opening three wins, while he turned in a steady display in a 2-1 victory over the Foxes.
He may have a major fight to cement his spot in the starting XI on a regular basis and to fulfil Klopp’s prediction about him.
Henderson is competing for one of three midfield Liverpool spots alongside the likes of Georginio Wijnaldum, Naby Keita, James Milner and Fabinho.
There is no doubt that Henderson has reached a great level compared to when he first joined Liverpool, but he may find it even harder to reach another level.
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