The Kop prepares to welcome a modern day hero

Liverpool - Jordan Henderson joins the Red revolution

By Emdad Rahman

Original article 

Anfield is buzzing after rising England star Jordan Henderson joined Kenny Dalglish’s glittering entourage.  

Henderson’s seismic transfer fee, the esteem with which he is held in by fellow professionals and commentators, coupled with his demeanour and talent has many fans excited at the golden prospects on offer. 

Whilst the case for an over inflated fee is debated, King Kenny has paid for raw ability and potential. Together with Steve Clarke’s coaching acumen this looks like a typical round pegs for round holes transfer by Dalglish.  

King Kenny has seen something in the former Stadium of Light star and I believe he could be Liverpool’s short term answer to Jack Wilshere and long term replacement for Steven Gerrard. As a Liverpool fan if it’s good enough for Kenny it’s good enough for me. 

Here I have compiled some facts about the latest red recruit.... 

• Henderson joined Sunderland at the age of seven. 

• A teenaged Henderson was educated at Farringdon Community Sports College before joining the Black Cats. 

• During a loan spell at Coventry in 2009, Henderson fractured the fifth metatarsal in his foot. 

• Henderson’s potential was spotted early by a man who knows a few things about midfield play. Roy Keane gave the Mackem his football debut. 

• Henderson began to emerge as a rising young talent after briefly replacing the absent Lee Cattermole in the Sunderland engine room.
 

• Henderson scored his first goal against Birmingham City during a League Cup tie in 2009–10. A maiden Premier League strike against Blackburn Rovers came soon after. 

• Recognition from his peers led to Henderson being voted the young player of the year in 2009/10. 

• The new Kop star’s brace against Wigan in April helped end a barren run of nine winless games for Steve Bruce’s side. 

• This year FIFA listed Henderson amongst its 13 players to watch list, adding: Composed, athletic and powerful, Henderson has been hailed as “the best young British footballer there is” by his Sunderland manager, Steve Bruce. 

• Fabio Capello also recognised the midfielder’s talent by handing him a first senior England cap in November, while Sir Alex Ferguson has expressed a public interest in prising Henderson from his hometown team.” Amongst the list were Youssef Al Arabi, Romelu Lukaku, David De Gea, and Erik Lamela. 

• Henderson does not drink, smoke and shies away from the stereotypically overbearing footballers lifestyle. He has admitted to being ‘a bit boring’ 

• The choice tipple for Liverpool’s £20 million starlet is J20. 

• Liverpool secured the signature of the rising star of the North East, after beating off periodic interest from Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Man City. 

• Henderson’s football hero is Ryan Giggs.