Jude Bellingham has defended England ace Jordan Henderson amid rumours the duo could join forces at Liverpool next summer.
Bellingham and Henderson linked up to great effect as England beat Senegal 3-0 in the last 16 of the World Cup in Qatar.
Bellingham set up Henderson for 1-0 before playing a key role in the creation of Harry Kane’s goal to make it 2-0.
Phil Foden then found Bukayo Saka for 3-0, sending England through in style after a tricky opening half an hour.
England will now take on France in the quarter-finals on Saturday with Gareth Southgate facing some tricky lineup decisions.
Jude Bellingham has defended Jordan Henderson
There may be a temptation to go from a 4-3-3 to a 3-5-2 or 3-4-3, but that means dropping somebody after a fine performance.
Southgate is often questioned on his decisions and one that really sparked comments was the move to bring Jordan Henderson back into the side.
Henderson came on against the United States before starting against Wales and he kept his place in the side against Senegal.
Not only did Henderson do the defensive duties we know he can do so well, but he also got into the box to score from Jude Bellingham’s cut-back.
This is the stuff of Liverpool dreams.
The Reds have been positioning themselves to try and sign Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund at the end of the season.
One Sport Bild report last month suggested that Jurgen Klopp is even urging FSG to splash the cash on signing the 19-year-old.
Liverpool do have something in their locker – the friendship between Bellingham and Henderson.
The pair appear to be very close on international duty and Henderson is taking Bellingham under his wing as a veteran player passing on know-how to a youngster.
That may help Liverpool sell Bellingham on a move to Anfield and he has actually moved to praise Henderson.
Speaking to ITV Sport, Bellingham hailed Henderson’s performance as ‘brilliant’.
Bellingham added that he sees the ‘rubbish’ criticism Henderson receives, branding the doubts as ‘ridiculous’ whilst suggesting that the Liverpool man deserves some respect and is massively underrated technically.
“Brilliant performance today,” said Bellingham. “I see some of the rubbish that was said about him playing and stuff like that. It’s ridiculous.”
“He’s so under-rated technically, and he’s delivered again in a big game with a massive goal, so I think it’s time he gets a bit of respect,” he added.
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