Monday 2 March 2015 18:24, UK
Sky Sports pundit Phil Thompson believes Jordan Henderson is on course to become Liverpool’s next club captain, but has warned that it’s not a done deal just yet.
Henderson is the Reds’ official vice-captain and topped a stellar performance with a fine goal during Liverpool’s 2-1 win over champions Manchester City on Sunday.
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The midfielder captained the side in the absence of the injured Steven Gerrard, who will leave the club at the end of the season, and Thommo expects Henderson to fend off competition from Martin Skrtel to land the long-term role.
“Put it this way, he’s not doing himself any harm,” said Thommo of Henderson.
“Many will say it’s looking as though he’s done enough to get the armband already, but you have to work your way into the role and I think there’s still a way to go yet.
“It’s not cut and dried – I think it’s between him and Martin Skrtel, who has been absolutely fantastic lately, so it’s not set in stone, but I do think Jordan will get it.”
With four goals and six assists to his name this season, Henderson has added new attributes to his game, but Thommo is more impressed with the midfielder’s new-found aggression.
“He’s showing good character and he’s starting to bring more aggression to his game,” said the former defender.
“But he knows how far you can go with the aggression and he doesn’t overstep the mark, which is such a good trait for a midfielder to have.
“He is becoming the complete midfielder, in many ways, and if he keeps scoring goals like he did at the weekend, well, my goodness, he’s setting down a strong marker for that armband.”
Henderson is not the only midfielder who put in a notable performance at Anfield on Sunday, with Joe Allen impressing Thommo in a deeper role against City.
“With Lucas and Gerrard being missing, Joe Allen has been terrific,” he said.
“He was absolutely fantastic on Sunday. For me, [Philippe] Coutinho and Henderson played extremely well and got the goals, but it glossed over what was a top-class performance from Allen.
“He was my man of the match. He’s doing the same thing as Henderson – he’s staking his claim while Lucas is out, being that holding midfield player.
“He was tremendous. There was a lot of plus points from Liverpool’s perspective in that game.”
Thommo has also praised the work of Brendan Rodgers, who was one of Sky Bet’s frontrunners to be the next managerial casualty in the Premier League before Christmas, but Liverpool are now on a run of one defeat in 15 league games.
“I must congratulate Brendan Rodgers,” said Thommo. “He’s let this formation carry Liverpool along this season since switching to 3-4-2-1, simply by playing his best players in their best positions.
“Rodgers deserves credit for getting the right players in those right positions, particularly as he’s been without the experience of Gerrard and Lucas recently.
“Other players have come in and done a good job too, like Lazar Markovic and Jordon Ibe – he’s been like a new signing since Brendan brought him back from his loan spell.”
Thommo is backing Liverpool to beat Burnley 2-0 on Wednesday at 11/2 with Sky Bet.
