From being labeled as a big-money transfer flop, Jordan Henderson has turned his Liverpool career around in spectacular style. He was surplus to requirements at beginning of last season, and new manager Brendan Rodgers wanted to use the England International as a makeweight in a potential move for Fulham attacker Clint Dempsey.
Henderson refused to throw in the towel and decided to stay and fight for his place in the side, and the rest as they say is history. Fast forward 20 months and the 23 year old Henderson is one of the first names on the team sheet. This transformation has been a combination of determination and hard work on the part of Henderson as well as the coaching ability and faith of Rodgers in the former Sunderland midfielder.
He has played in almost every position for Liverpool in this period, across the midfield and even in defense when required. From being an utility player, he has become the midfield engine that drives this current Liverpool side, and nothing is a more perfect example of his performance against Swansea on Sunday.
Henderson and Philippe Coutinho started as a 2-man pairing in midfield just ahead of anchor-man Steven Gerrard and he put in an outstanding shift to ensure that Liverpool managed to come out of the encounter with all three points. He roamed all across the pitch, harrying Swansea players when Liverpool were not in possession and he always made himself available for a pass when Liverpool had control of the ball.
His running off the ball was outstanding and it resulted in him being at the right place at the right time to slot home the winner after a Suarez shot was blocked, albeit in the second attempt. His celebration after the two goals he scored said it all- how much it meant to him to be the one the score sheet. It was as if every moment on the pitch, every performance this season has been an effort to silence the critics, and so far he has passed with flying colors.
Henderson was crisp in his passing, keeping his passes short and always looking to play in a player who was in space. 88% of his 58 attempted passes found their target, and this number includes a few delightful cross-field balls to spread the play. His passing was always neat, even in the Sunderland days, but the range that has been on display this season suggests that he is maturing more as a player and now he is choosier when he attempts the expansive ball, something that had been a problem for him last season.
Given the engine that Henderson provides in the middle of the park, he has become an invaluable asset for this Liverpool side. Without him, the team seems to lack the drive from midfield that he so often provides- it reminds a lot of people of a much younger Stevie G. While Henderson has a lot to do till he achieves that level, the fact that the comparisons are coming up speaks volumes about a player who has proven his manager wrong and earned a deserving place in the starting eleven. The Renaissance is well and truly in full swing.
Stats courtesy of squawka
Watch his wonder strike against the Swans