Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson is a “winner” whose talents often go “underappreciated”, England manager Gareth Southgate has declared.
The Reds skipper who has led his side to the top of the Premier League table this season as they attempt to end a club record 29-year drought to win the title, is set to win his 50th cap for the Three Lions tonight as they play away to Montenegro in their second European Championship qualifier.
The 28-year-old has had to overcome plenty of adversity since joining Liverpool from his home city club Sunderland back in 2011.
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Brendan Rodgers tried to sell him to Fulham as a makeweight in a proposed deal for USA international Clint Dempsey only for Henderson declare he wanted to fight for his Reds future and be awarded the armband by the Ulsterman after Steven Gerrard's departure.
Although Henderson remains one of manager Jurgen Klopp's most-trusted Lieutenants, his displays are often criticised by many of the club's global fanbase with significant proportions of the brickbats coming on social media from those whose vantage point is usually a long way from seeing his performances up close and personal at Anfield.
Ahead of what should be a milestone appearance for the midfielder – who impressed in several different positions during England's 5-0 thrashing of the Czech Republic last time out on Friday – Southgate has hailed the job he continues to do for both club and country.
He said: “Firstly, only 59 players have achieved it (Southgate himself won 57 caps), so it's a relatively small club and a great honour.
“That requires huge commitment to playing for England, first and foremost. And then, on a personal level, Jordan's qualities as a player - which I think have been underappreciated at times - he's such an important player for us and has been for the last couple of managers.
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“Everybody values the fact that he has a winning mentality. Good players make other players play well.
“It's not just about your own performance, but the impact and effect you have on others. When you're a leader like he is, that is among his top qualities.”
Henderson himself isn't reading to much into the landmark at this stage.
In typically modest fashion he said: “Hopefully, if I play, then I'll obviously be very proud to have played for my country that many times.
“But I won't think about it too much. Maybe I will when I finish my career and can look back.
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“But at the moment I want to concentrate on doing my best for the team, giving everything for my country.
“When I finish my career, I'll look back and decide whether I'm satisfied or not.”
