He’s a fantastic captain and a top player but he is no longer always a guaranteed starter and there were times when he was overlooked for big games the season just gone. Not just because of the normal rotation either. He plays far more often than he doesn’t of course, and even this past season he has featured in more games than anyone else in the squad.
No-one is going to start every game of course and statistically there is nothing to suggest he should be concerned. It’s not the number of times he was left out that surprised me, it was the occasions when it happened.
I’m just saying, he was on the bench for some pretty big games that you would normally expect him to start. That includes the FA Cup semi against City and the Anfield derby. He didn’t start away at Inter or Villarreal either.
When he doesn’t start he always gets on and I’m not getting the feeling he’s being phased out, but it isn’t just the normal rotation either. Neither Thiago nor Fabinho would be left out in the biggest games and there was a time not so long ago when it was unthinkable that Hendo would be. Occasionally now it’s starting to happen and he gets subbed quite regularly too.
He’ll hate that because of how competitive he is, but he’s a pro and he handles it the right way. In the long run it might help him as his game is very much based on doing a hell of a lot of running. Whatever helps keep him fresh has to be a good thing.
Whenever he doesn’t start it always feels like it’s not long before I find myself saying “we need Hendo on here”. Maybe that’s just me! I feel more reassured when he’s out there because he sets the tempo for us without the ball and he keeps everyone on their toes.
He’s also rarely far from the referees side, which is more important in some games than others. We needed him on the field in that first half against Everton at Anfield when Seamus Coleman was basically following the ref around the field complaining about every decision, and there was nobody keeping the referee honest when Everton players were diving, feigning injury and wasting as much time as possible.
Starting a derby without Henderson in the team seems daft to me as that's the exact kind of game where he really thrives and he's always going to give you more in those blood and thunder games than someone like Keita, Jones or Ox for example.
In fact, Hendo's finest performance of the season came at Goodison when he absolutely dominated Everton. He scored that night but it wasn’t just that, he was head and shoulders above everyone else on the field. Utterly dominant in every way. He was brilliant in the rout at Old Trafford too, with the highlight being that exquisite through ball to send Mo clear for his hat-trick. The volleyed winner against Milan at Anfield was class as well.
He really should score more, but then that applies to all of our midfielders (and full backs!) except maybe Fabinho who considering the role he plays is punching above his weight on goals.
Previous Season Ratings:
2020/21: Season doesn’t count
2019/20: 8/10
2018/19: 8.5/10
2017/18: 10/10
This Season’s Rating: 9/10
This won't be popular and I imagine most will think it should be an 8. I could have taken the easy option and gone 8.5 but fuck that I'm making a stand with my skipper. It's a 9 and if you have a problem with that, see that hill over there? I'll meet you there, and bring yer fucking dinner so this one is to the death.
Best Moment:
Either the Gerrard-esque pass to Mo at Old Trafford, or the Gerrard-esque putting Everton on his knee and spanking them til they cried.
Worst Moment:
Nothing jumps out at me, but if there is one then it probably involves a shot ending up halfway up the Kop.
The Future?
I expect another season similar to the last one before a gradual phasing out into a Milner type role when our big midfield splash singing arrives in a year. If that signing were to happen this summer, I still think Hendo is going to play as many games as anyone else in midfield, but this might be the last year that happens.
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