---
title: "Henderson has grown into the ‘complete midfielder’, claims Murphy"
canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/articles/henderson-has-grown-into-the-complete-midfielder-claims-murphy/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Henry Jackson"
section: "Articles"
published: "2020-01-17T19:00:00Z"
modified: "2020-01-17T19:00:00Z"
---

# Henderson has grown into the ‘complete midfielder’, claims Murphy

Jordan Henderson has matured into a ‘complete midfielder’, according to former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy.

Henderson has been in [superb form](https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/382718-jordan-henderson-named-england-men-s-player-of-the-year) of late, leading the Reds to a [14-point lead](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/table) at the top of the Premier League.

Writing on [https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51135231](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51135231)*[BBC Sport](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51135231)*, Murphy heaped praise on the 29-year-old, lauding him for emerging from Steven Gerrard’s shadow:

> It has not always been plain sailing for Henderson at Anfield, and I think he suffered at first from being compared to Steven Gerrard – which was unfair.

> That was an easy thing to say when he signed aged 20 in 2011, because he was a young England midfielder, but he was not like Gerrard, because no-one is.

> It was always going to be impossible for him to live up to that. As a player he is the best he can be, but he will never be able to do the things that Gerrard did.

> Playing alongside Gerrard at first was not very helpful because when you are around one of the best midfielders there has ever been, you are never going to look as good as him.

> It is only since Gerrard left in 2015, and the team started evolving under Jurgen Klopp, that people have been able to see Henderson’s own qualities.

> At 29, he has grown into a complete midfielder, and is a fantastic example of someone making the absolute maximum out of their ability.

![Alex Pantling/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readliverpoolfc.com/readliverpoolfc/2020/01/1196098085-4.jpg)

### Read Liverpool Verdict

In my opinion, Henderson has never played better in his career, cutting such an authoritative figure.

While the midfielder has often been praised for his fitness levels and dynamism, the skipper is also impressing so much on the ball.

Henderson has chipped in with a goal and two assists this season, also enjoying an 84.2 percent success rate with his passing, according to [https://www.whoscored.com/Players/68659/Show/Jordan-Henderson](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/68659/Show/Jordan-Henderson)*[WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/68659/Show/Jordan-Henderson)*.

I believe he was always harshly treated for supposedly passing backwards and sideways, but his class has really shone through this season.

Henderson is an indispensable figure for Liverpool in their quest for Premier League glory and I expect legendary status to be secured if he lifts the title in May.