Football is like cooking. Great football teams, in this respect, can be compared to great dishes.
There are flavours that are stronger than others, of course, but picking the most important one can be a tedious affair.
Liverpool Football Club has emerged as one of the surprising dishes of the 2013-14 Premier League season. Many ingredients have contributed to their fiery, in-your-face flavour profile as Brendan Rodgers’ high-tempo unit has lit up the division with their offensive capabilities.
A plethora of individuals have contributed to their unlikely assault at the top of the table. Ask someone to give you their pick of the bunch and the answers could vary.
Luis Suarez? He’s probably a favourite for Player of the Year. Daniel Sturridge? His goal-per-minute statistics show that he’s one of the most prolific strikers in world football. Steven Gerrard? He’s adapted well to the “quarterback” role at the base of the Reds’ midfield.
But what about Jordan Henderson?
Henderson has thoroughly dismantled any lingering doubts about his quality this season, maturing into one of the primary—and arguably the most important—driver of Liverpool’s unlikely ascent to the top of the table. Not bad for a player whose running style was singled out for criticism in Alex Ferguson’s latest autobiography.
Henderson has started every league game this season; appearing on the wing, as a second striker, filling various holes in the midfield and even showing his ability as a swashbuckling wing-back. The former Sunderland product combines a ridiculous level of athleticism with a shrewd tactical awareness.
Ever wonder why Suarez and Sturridge can stay so high up the pitch? Or why Gerrard has time on the ball to dictate play? It’s because Henderson is constantly plugging the gaps, ensuring that his teammates find themselves in the ideal situations to thrive.
Recently, however, he’s come even more into his own by proving to be more than just a hardworking water carrier. Whisper it quietly, but the boy can play a bit.
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Henderson was the man of the match in Liverpool’s recent wins against Arsenal and Swansea. Only Eden Hazard and Suarez have created more chances from open play this season. Almost every single passing statistic has improved from last season, evidence of his newfound range.
A chance conversion rate of four percent won’t cut it at the highest level and he has squandered his fair share of scoring opportunities. He is, however, working on improving that part of his game. Witness his brace against Swansea City last weekend. His runs were timed perfectly allowing him to arrive in the box at optimal moments to give his team a breakthrough.
Sound familiar?
Gerrard has made a living out of doing exactly the same thing. In fact, the comparison doesn’t stop there. Henderson doesn’t hide when things aren’t going his club’s way. He can be seen barking out orders, organizing his team and regularly liaises with Rodgers during matches.
Gerrard was also initially hindered by his versatility and willingness to play anywhere on the pitch. If Henderson continues at this trajectory there’s no reason he can’t one day inherit the armband from the incumbent.
“Mental strength” is one of those terms that the media love to use. Whether or not a certain player has it could dictate their entire narrative. It’s a concept that can be completely overblown but does have redeeming value when used correctly.
The 23-year old has it in abundance.
His ability to overcome hurdles at a big club instead of departing to a mid-table side should be commended. Kenny Dalglish’s “British wave” of signings all opted for the latter as Charlie Adam, Andy Carroll and Stewart Downing all either ply their trade at Stoke City or West Ham. Henderson is the lone survivor from that infamous, ill-advised spending spree.
In fact, Rodgers intended for Henderson to move to Fulham last year in a deal for Clint Dempsey. Henderson rejected the swap deal, seemingly intent on making his name on Merseyside.
As Henderson continues to thrive, it’s a decision that Rodgers is glad he got wrong.
Sasha Kalra is a Toronto-based writer. Follow him on Twitter