Henderson confesses fitness levels were low after Netherlands defeat

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson has confessed that last week’s Champions League celebrations took a toll on his performance last night.

The 28-year-old was a 77th-minute substitute in England’s 3-1 extra time defeat to the Netherlands in the Nations League semi-final.

Henderson wasn’t the only starter from last week’s Champions League final not to start yesterday’s semi-final game as Gareth Southgate opted to leave his Liverpool and Spurs players on the bench.

Fitness levels were clearly an issue for the players as the season draws to a close.

As reported by the Liverpool Echo, Henderson said:

It was tough. It was a quick turnaround after the weekend – physically, mentally, emotionally I was drained after the game.

England took the lead on the 32nd-minute thanks to a Marcus Rashford spot kick.

The Netherlands would later equalise on the 73rd minute thanks to a bullet header from their young star Matthijs de Ligt who made up for his earlier error.

They were by far the better team and took a well-deserved lead in extra time thanks to a Kyle Walker own goal before Quincy Promise would later kill the game off.