Jordan Henderson Earns Plaudits From Pundits And Fans In England World Cup Win

The Liverpool skipper and Three Lions vice-captain shone in England’s last-gasp win over Tunisia in their opening World Cup fixture.

Supporters of the English national team came into World Cup with that contradictory blend of expectation and pessimism that is almost uniquely British in nature. With their fellow Group G participants in Belgium pasting Panama 3-0 earlier in the day, the pressure was on for the Three Lions to keep pace in their own group stage against Tunisia.

Jordan Henderson got a surprise start ahead of Tottenham’s Eric Dier in the holding midfield role as manager Gareth Southgate picked the most attacking lineup at his disposal. While two set piece goals from skipper Harry Kane, including a stoppage time winner, ultimately decided the match in a 2-1 victory, in truth, England were the vastly superior side with only poor finishing saving their opponents from being blown out.

Despite fielding in a 3-5-2 formation, Southgate had clearly taken a page from Liverpool manager, Jürgen Klopp’s wildly successful playbook, with the Three Lions employing a high-energy counter-pressing system with a focus on long balls over the top to find speedy runners in behind.

Accustomed to this philosophy at the club level, Henderson was at the heart of most of the good on the day, shielding the defense to allow Jesse Lingard and Dele Alli to roam forward, snapping into tackles and spraying the ball around the park with aplomb.

An impressive nights work for @JHenderson in an @England shirt

World Cup highlights LIVE on @ITV now pic.twitter.com/gZfzNNzdwi

— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 18, 2018

Kane may have taken the headlines with his goals, but plaudits for the Liverpool skipper’s performance were near universal.

Newcastle legend Alan Shearer was effusive in his praise of the 28-year-old’s performance:

”I thought he showed his intent very, very early on in the game with that ball which came into him first time, just around the corner pass with the forward running on to it,” added Shearer.

”And if the forward knows a midfielder will do that, it makes it a lot easier for a forward to time his runs.”

Well, Henderson's secured his starting position for the rest of the tournament then. Probably the best player on the pitch alongside Trippier. His distribution was absolutely sublime.

— Dharma Bhagalia (@Kloppholic) June 18, 2018

Henderson speaking as well as he played. Top class tonight. Fully justified the decision to pick him ahead of Dier.

— James Pearce (@JamesPearceEcho) June 18, 2018

Former Arsenal and England right back Dixon piled on:

“We’ve been singing his praises for the last three or four internationals and also for Liverpool this season.

“I’ve watched Liverpool a lot and he goes under the radar a lot. He’s that link, that little glue to everything.

“But also his passing over the past two years has got so much better.”

Jordan Henderson pinging passes like: pic.twitter.com/P0YoO2HU3O

— Soccer AM (@SoccerAM) June 18, 2018

Even ex-Manchester United player Gary Neville was impressed with Henderson’s performance, suggesting that the Liverpool midfielder retain his place in the starting line up going forward:

“[Henderson] has evolved his game, he’s matured.

“He wants to learn all the time, he works hard, he’s conscientious, he’s a manager’s dream. And tonight—when he was under pressure (from Dier) to win the spot, he looks like he’s cemented his spot.”

Have we got Jordan Henderson playing centre midfield or Andrea Pirlo.

The lads pinging it everywhere

— Footy Accumulators (@FootyAccums) June 18, 2018

While hyperbole and overreaction is par for the course in the British media after a positive England result, it is still encouraging to see Liverpool players recognized for their quality on the biggest stages. Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mané will both be in action for Egypt and Senegal later on today.

Source: liverpooloffside.sbnation.com