Didi Hamann has lauded Jordan Henderson on talkSPORT for the manner the midfielder has transformed at Liverpool since replacing Steven Gerrard as the Anfield natives’ captain.
Former Reds boss Brendan Rodgers handed Henderson the armband in 2015 after Gerrard left to join LA Galaxy. The England international had moved to Merseyside four-years prior from Sunderland in a £20m deal, and has now made 424 appearances in all competitions.
Henderson made his latest outing as Liverpool beat Inter Milan 2-0 in the first-leg of their Champions League last 16 tie. Jurgen Klopp introduced the 31-year-old as part of a triple substitution early in the second-half as the Nerazzurri began to take control of the affair.
Henderson helped Liverpool regain a foothold at the San Siro straight away with some vital tackles. His work in the engine room also let the Reds regain their shape after a tricky spell.
Klopp has fielded Henderson in 32 of the Merseysiders’ fixtures so far this season across all competitions. He has also offered three goals and four assists but Hamann notes how some supporters have been critical of the 68-cap Three Lions star since he signed a new contract.
Henderson has blown Hamann away with ‘transformation’ as Liverpool captain
Liverpool awarded Henderson a new four-year contract last summer after his previous deal entered its final 24-months. He is now locked down at Anfield until 2025 on £140k-a-week.
Hamann seemingly feels the criticism some Liverpool fans have directed at Henderson has been unjust. Instead, the Reds icon hails how the Sunderland-born technician has improved since taking over from Gerrard as the leader in the Anfield dressing room seven-years ago.
“Henderson’s been getting stick since he signed a new contract,” Hamann said. “I think he’s one of the few players who won the fans over because he came from Sunderland for £20m and after 12-months people were saying he wasn’t good enough.
“The transformation he’s had and the way he’s taken over the captaincy from Stevie, you have to take your hat off to the lad. It’s not an easy thing to do, to win the fans over at Liverpool, and he’s one of the few players to do it.”
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