---
title: "Opinion: Why pundit is right to tip Henderson for Footballer of the Year"
canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/articles/opinion-why-pundit-is-right-to-tip-henderson-for-footballer-of-the-year/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Henry Jackson"
section: "Articles"
published: "2020-02-03T22:00:00Z"
modified: "2020-02-03T22:00:00Z"
---

# Opinion: Why pundit is right to tip Henderson for Footballer of the Year

Jordan Henderson is rightly being tipped to win the [Footballer of the Year](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FWA_Footballer_of_the_Year) award, although he faces stiff competition from a host of Liverpool teammates.

*[BBC Sport](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51351685)* pundit Garth Crooks has claimed that the Reds skipper is a [“shoo-in”](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51351685) for the prize this season, having led his team to a [22-point lead](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/table) over Manchester City at the top of the Premier League.

It is a remarkable upturn in fortunes for Henderson, who has spent so much of his career being a much-maligned figure.

I believe last season’s Champions League success was a pivotal moment for the 29-year-old, both in terms of his own confidence in himself and how he was viewed by others.

The midfielder has grown in stature ever since that point.

For a while, it felt as though he didn’t belong as Steven Gerrard’s successor as Liverpool captain, but he is now a colossal figure in his own right, both on and off the pitch.

As things stand, Henderson would be my choice for the Footballer of the Year award.

His quality on the ball and relentlessness off it are the key reason for that – he has [three goals and four assists in the Premier League](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/68659/Show/Jordan-Henderson) – but his leadership has also been significant.

He has dragged through Liverpool through games this season, particularly since Fabinho’s [injury](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/liverpool-fabinho-breaking-injury-news-17337490) in November – a setback that had the potential to be hugely damaging.

Such is the brilliance of this Reds side, however, there are several candidates to win the end-of-season awards.

Henderson not winning certainly wouldn’t be a crime, in a campaign that has seen such wonders on show at Anfield.

Sadio Mane was the standout player before a slight January dip and a subsequent injury layoff, while Trent Alexander-Arnold has also been magnificent, not least in the win [away to Leicester City](https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2019/dec/26/liverpool-right-back-playmaker-trent-alexander-arnold-leicester) on Boxing Day.

Virgil van Dijk arguably deserves to win the prize, too, following another imperious campaign. It could be argued that we take the Dutchman for granted these days and want to give awards to others.

Alisson and Fabinho’s chances have been affected by lengthy injuries, but they have also been fantastic when fit, while Joe Gomez, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino are threatening to end the season at the top of their games.

Manchester City star man Kevin De Bruyne is also more than worthy of a mention, standing out for a stuttering team but still [registering 15 Premier League assists](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/73084/Show/Kevin-De-Bruyne) already this season.

It is Henderson who Crooks thinks is edging clear currently, however, and I couldn’t be happier for him.

He has received so much unfair criticism down the years, so it is heartwarming to see him finally receiving the credit he deserves.

In truth, his all-round quality hasn’t necessarily been as great, or consistent, as Mane, Alexander-Arnold and Van Dijk, but his sheer will to win and leadership give him that extra edge.