Jordan Henderson believes his performances on England duty convinced Jürgen Klopp to grant his wish to return to a more natural midfield role at Liverpool.
The Liverpool captain produced a commanding and creative display as a No 8 at home against Porto as the Premier League leaders took control of their Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday. Klopp offered a lighthearted apology afterwards for stifling the attacking side of Henderson’s game “for the last year and a half” by converting the 28-year-old into a holding midfielder.
Henderson, while content to continue in the deeper role, talked with Klopp over reverting to the position where he flourished under Brendan Rodgers, admitting he felt “that when I was at my best and playing well I was playing further forward”. He thinks the recent internationals were the point his manager was sold on the idea.
“Me and the gaffer just had a conversation,” said Henderson, who scored his first Liverpool goal since September 2017 in the win at Southampton last Friday. “Obviously he saw the England games. I felt good playing in that position. I felt more natural and it was something he said he would think about. I can do both positions and he sees I can do both. It’s basically what he wants and needs. I felt more comfortable and natural in that position for England, creating chances further up and doing what I enjoy doing. At the same time when I played No 6 I felt I’ve learned that position really well.”
Henderson started England’s 5-0 defeat of the Czech Republic in his favoured position, coming on as a substitute in the 5-1 drubbing of Montenegro, and admits he instigated the discussions with Klopp.
He added: “I don’t think the manager had thought about it too much until I mentioned it to him. There were the England games as well. The manager might not have seen me in that position too much. It’s all about putting the team first, I know that, but at the same time I want to contribute as much as I can. I feel as though I can do that more in a position further forward.”
Henderson had been reluctant to voice his opinion to Klopp but the arrival of Fabinho, a more naturally defensive player, allowed for the tactical change. Asked whether he had wanted to broach the subject for a while, Henderson replied: “It’s difficult to do that – it’s hard. For me as a captain and as a player at this club I always put the team first. I do whatever the manager tells us to do really. But when we had the conversation I felt I could speak my mind.
“In the last couple of years there hasn’t really been a player like Fabinho in that role, so I’ve had to adapt to that role. I think I’ve done quite well. I think if you look at Fab, it’s quite natural to him, that’s his position and he’s so good at what you need to do in that position. I just thought that might give me a bit more licence to get forward more . The manager wants me in both positions, which is good for me and for the team.”
