Jordan Henderson has 'hardest job in football' captaining Liverpool, insists Jurgen Klopp

Henderson has come in for criticism for his role in the team

Jack Austin
Friday 08 December 2017 14:17 GMT
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Henderson took over from Gerrard as captain
Henderson took over from Gerrard as captain

Jordan Henderson has the “hardest job in world football” by captaining Liverpool as he had to take over from Steven Gerrard, insists Jurgen Klopp.

The skipper was omitted from the starting XI for the 7-0 victory over Spartak Moscow on Wednesday as fans have begun to get on his back over his performances and actual value to the team.

However, with the Merseyside derby with Everton on the horizon, Klopp insisted that Henderson’s absence was only so he could be rested and that he will definitely play at Anfield on Sunday.

“I live in this city and I get it a little bit sometimes how people are talking about it,” said Klopp. “Being the skipper of Liverpool is the hardest job in world football because the man who had the armband before was Steven Gerrard. Sorry, he finished playing football, we cannot get him back.

“I want everyone to respect that Jordan Henderson is our skipper because he deserved it and he is the right man for the job. That doesn't mean he can play all the games. Sorry. He is such an important player for us - I don't get why I have to say that.

“I only spoke about it because I knew people would say, ‘Oh yes, fantastic game (against Spartak). Jordan didn't play so make a sh** story of it’.

“They are sh** stories. Actually it is no story apart from in England and especially in Liverpool it is a story. Now I have said a little bit about it, the story is done.”

Henderson was a victim of recurring injuries last season and Klopp wants to ensure that doesn’t happen again by resting him when the opportunity arises, even though he is club captain.

“I am not sure if it is English or old-fashioned but even a captain cannot play all the time, that's how it is. You cannot bring him only because of the armband,” he added.

“I made a decision for this (Spartak) game and it made sense in this kind of week that you need players on the pitch who know 100 per cent about the derby and what it is about - that makes sense.”

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