GARY LINEKER reckons Jordan Henderson’s injury shows how important he is to Liverpool – and could clinch him Player of the Year honours.
Liverpool’s 2-0 defeat by Chelsea last night was their third loss in four games.
Liverpool have lost three of their past four matches – all of them without HendersonCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Lineker tweeted his thoughts on Hendo winning Player of the Year honours
Jurgen Klopp blamed the ball for Adrian’s howler but he would have been right to point out Henderson’s absence, too.
The skipper has missed Liverpool’s past three matches after injuring his hamstring in the 1-0 Champions League defeat by Atletico Madrid.
In that time, the table-topping Reds narrowly beat West Ham 3-2 but suffered a shock 3-0 loss to Watford and tasted defeat at Stamford Bridge.
On top of that, they have conceded eight goals in their past four games and scored just three times.
Match of the Day host and England legend Lineker believes Henderson not being there has played a part in the rot.
He tweeted: “There’s every chance that @JHenderson’s injury could well clinch him the Footballer of the Year trophy.
“Sometimes you don’t realise a player’s importance to a side until they’re absent.”
Some fans disagreed though, arguing that Man City’s Kevin De Bruyne has been better.
One tweeted: “I can’t trust anyone who thinks Henderson has been better than KDB this season.”
Another posted: “Think De Bruyne might have been a tad better, Gary.”
Henderson’s Anfield team-mate Virgil Van Dijk pipped De Bruyne and Man City star Raheem Sterling to the Player of the Year honour last season.
The Liverpool midfielder is second-favourite with Ladbrokes this season – team-mate Sadio Mane is the favourite.
But were he to scoop the prize this season, it would be Henderson’s second individual win of 2020.
Willian broke the deadlock for Chelsea against Liverpool after 13 minutesCredit: Rex Features
2019-20 PFA PLAYER OF THE YEAR ODDS
Sadio Mane (Liverpool) – 7/4
Jordan Henderson (Liverpool) – 2/1
Kevin De Bruyne (Man City) – 7/2
Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) – 9/2
Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool) – 10/1
(All odds with Ladbrokes, 20-/1 bar)
In January the former Sunderland man was named England’s Player of the Year for 2019.
Henderson made seven England appearances last year, passing the 50-cap mark during the 5-1 away win against Montenegro.
And he helped helped Liverpool win the Champions League, Super Cup and Club World Cup.
Watch Liverpool captain, Jordan Henderson, practise with young fan before match away at Tottenham
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
