Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson is “playing the football of his life and a shoo-in for Footballer of the Year."
That's the verdict of Garth Crooks in his BBC Sport column after he picked the Reds skipper in his Premier League Team of the Week alongside Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino.
Despite having lifted the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup over the past year and being one of Jurgen Klopp's most-trusted lieutenants, Henderson, somewhat curiously, does not always seem to be fully-appreciated by significant elements among Liverpool's fanbase – particularly some observers who watch his efforts from a vantage point far from Anfield.
However, the 29-year-old's efforts have been recognised by Crooks who said: “You can't beat the first-time ball. Certainly not the way Jordan Henderson provided the pass for Mohamed Salah to score his second goal.
“In fact there aren't many players who are prepared to deliver a pass on the run without taking a touch first.
“However, Henderson is in such blistering form I think he's capable of anything at the moment.
“I've said repeatedly in this column that the Liverpool captain is playing the football of his life and a shoo-in for Footballer of the Year.”
Crooks also praised Salah for reverting to his natural game after trying too hard to fashion goal-scoring opportunities earlier in the season.
He said: “It looks like Mohamed Salah has got that golden scoring touch back. All those little dinks and chips over the advancing goalkeeper seem to be coming off again.
“Earlier in the season he appeared to be trying too hard to score and not allowing chances to come naturally.
“This was the cause of a little tension between Salah and Sadio Mane in one game in particular but not anymore.
“Liverpool's second-half performance was as good as I've seen for some time. Much more relaxed and no longer battling the spectre of winning the Premier League title.
“At one stage Liverpool were just getting the job done, now it looks like they are having a party.”
On Firmino, he added: The Brazilian played half this game (against Southampton) as though the ball was stuck to his feet.
“The touch he displayed when he took the ball out of the sky and placed it perfectly in his path, prior to playing an inch-perfect pass for Henderson to score was pure genius.”
