On the cusp of captaining Liverpool to a first league win in 30 years, Jordan Henderson is finally receiving the recognition he deserves, according to his teammate Adam Lallana.
A much-maligned figure at various points throughout his time with Liverpool, Jordan Henderson, almost nine years after leaving Sunderland for Merseyside, will likely become the first man since Alan Hansen to lift the league title for the Reds later this year.
With numerous pundits claiming that Liverpool's capabilities may well see them retain their Champions League trophy in the process, the central involvement of Henderson in Jurgen Klopp's side demonstrates a resilience that was not found wanting when Brendan Rodgers attempted to move the English midfielder on during his tenure in charge.
"I don't think I've seen him play as consistently as good as this at any point in his career," remarked Adam Lallana of his Liverpool captain to Off the Ball. "He's a selfless captain at the end of the day and he's reaping his rewards in lifting all of these trophies that are coming his way now."
The 29-year-old midfielder has been all but ever-present for Liverpool as Klopp's side have established an unbeaten start to the Premier League season.
According to Lallana, Henderson's example sets a tone for his clubmates.
"He won't want to stop there," noted Lallana of Jordan Henderson's hunger to win more trophies. "He plays #6, he plays #8, he sacrifices himself a lot of the time for this team and it is only right that he is getting the recognition that, for me, should have been coming his way for years now."
After seeing through the festive period with little or no concern, Liverpool will have to contend with the challenges of Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United in the month of January as thoughts tentatively turn toward the possibility of an unbeaten season.
You can watch Adam Lallana's full interview with Off the Ball from Anfield here.
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