Peter Crouch told BT Sport 2 (15/9, 22:04) after Liverpool beat AC Milan in the Champions League that Jordan Henderson’s goal reminded him of those struck by Steven Gerrard.
Henderson captained the Reds at home to Stefano Pioli’s Rossoneri on Wednesday night to open their Group B campaign. The 31-year-old marked the occasion by scoring his first goal in the competition since November 2014, a wait of 2,485-days.
The 2014/15 term marked the Sunderland-born technician’s first foray into the Champions League. He has now made 39 appearances in the tournament, and lifted the trophy with the Anfield natives in 2018/19. Coincidently, the last season Henderson was involved in a goal, offering two assists on route to the final – which remain his only in the competition.
Henderson ended his lengthy wait for another Champions League goal against AC Milan by cushioning a half-volley for Liverpool’s third. His 69th-minute strike into the corner of Mike Maignan’s net proved to be the winner after Mohamed Salah equalised earlier in the half.
Henderson’s hit reminded Crouch of those Gerrard used to score for Liverpool, as he and Michael Owen offered praise.
“It definitely does [remind you of Gerrard],” Crouch said. “How many times have we seen it before from a certain Steven Gerrard? This was just so much like him – we’re on a big European night. How he’s controlled the ball and stayed over the top of it, and got the power into the corner, it was fantastic technique.
“On the half-volley like that, to keep that down with the laces, is a difficult skill.” To which Owen added: “That’s really difficult, to keep it like that. To hit so clean and keep it low, is a real difficult skill. Quality from the skipper.”
Did Henderson score a Gerrard-esque goal for Liverpool, like Crouch claims?
Henderson – like Gerrard many times throughout his career – proved the match-winner for Liverpool against AC Milan, placing his half-volley home to leave Crouch and Owen in awe.
Milan may look back through the game and consider it a mistake to have left the 66-cap England international unmarked. No Rossoneri player was near the Sunderland product when Ismael Bennacer’s header clear from a corner fell invitingly to Henderson.
Henderson set himself in an instant to catch the ball sweetly and direct it into the corner of Maignan’s net. Making a sustained period of pressure count and getting the Anfield outfit’s Group Stage campaign off to the perfect start.
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