Paul Ince lauds Jordan Henderson for his performance after Liverpool beat Southampton

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Liverpool moved back to the top of the Premier League table following their win at Southampton on Friday night.

BBC Sport pundit Paul Ince lauded Jordan Henderson for changing the game for Liverpool as they beat Southampton 3-1 in the Premier League on Friday night.

The Reds captain came off the bench to score his side’s third goal and Ince claimed that his run into the box from midfield is something ‘you don’t see any more’ from players.

The result and three points was very significant in Liverpool’s season because it means they go back to the top of the Premier League table, two points ahead of Manchester City, who have a game in hand.

Speaking to Match of the Day on BBC One (06/04/2019 10:45 pm), former England midfielder Ince was full of praise for Henderson and the manner in which he reacted to being on the bench.

“When he came on, like a true professional that he is, he set an example,” Ince told Match of the Day. “I thought he was outstanding. It’s easy to come on when you’re not playing and sulk. But Jordan was like, ‘no, it’s not just about me, this is about the team’.

“It was a Bryan Robson-esque run into the box [for his goal]. You don’t see this anymore from midfield players. Box-to-box. This is a goal he thoroughly deserves because his performance warranted it.

“Here [for his celebration], I never have seen him go this mad. It’s like a man possessed. You can see what it means to him. He is saying to Klopp, ‘I want to start, I’m captain of the football club’.”

There have been times when Henderson has clearly vented his frustration at his manager Jurgen Klopp when he has substituted him during a game, i.e. their goalless draw at Old Trafford.

Henderson’s recent performances have seen him being in and out of the team, but his display at St Mary’s could now result in Klopp restoring him back to the starting XI.

On Tuesday night, Klopp’s side will turn their attention to the Champions League and trying to see off Porto, with the first-leg taking place at Anfield.

But next Sunday is the big one for the Reds because they host Maurizio Sarri’s Chelsea on home soil, with potential dropped points against the London club proving costly to their title hopes.