Paris Saint-Germain and Atletico Madrid were among those watching developments closely.įor Henderson it was never about money, it was about feeling wanted. Having entered the final two years of his contract, Henderson was keen to sort an extension but initial discussions didn’t prove fruitful. Many predicted his days as a regular starter in midfield were numbered and there was a period last summer when it felt like the club’s hierarchy shared that view. Klopp had used him as a makeshift centre-back in nine of those 28 games during a defensive injury crisis. Last season, he played exactly half that number of matches as February groin surgery forced him to sit out the final three months for Liverpool and limited his involvement for England at the European Championship to five appearances off the bench. He has made 56 appearances for Liverpool this season - more than in any of his other 11 years at Anfield.
However, what’s most striking is the sheer amount of football he’s played this season and, as a result, the influence he’s been able to exert. His tally of six assists for Liverpool in all competitions in 2021-22 is only bettered by Trent Alexander-Arnold (18), Mohamed Salah (15) and Andy Robertson (14). Not least the opener in December’s 4-1 thrashing of Everton at Goodison. There have been other significant contributions from him along the way. For the most part, Klopp’s humble, selfless on-pitch leader has been exactly where he prefers to be over the course of this remarkable season - his best work going under the radar as his team-mates grasp the headlines. That win over Milan was a rarity in so much as Henderson was centre stage as the hero. Henderson’s place among the pantheon of Anfield legends would be elevated still further. If Liverpool beat Real Madrid, Emlyn Hughes will no longer be the only Liverpool captain in history to have lifted the famous trophy twice. Jordan Henderson scored a rare Champions League goal last September in Liverpool’s opening win over AC Milan (Photo: Alex Livesey – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)įast-forward eight months, and the 31-year-old will become the first Englishman to captain a team in three European Cup finals when he walks out at the Stade de France.
Henderson’s first Champions League goal for seven years - an emphatic finish from the edge of the penalty area - had secured victory for Liverpool, who fought back from 2-1 down at the break to win their opening group game 3-2, the first steps on a road that would eventually lead to Paris tonight had been taken. It was a classy gesture that meant a great deal. The Milan icon wanted to pass on his warm congratulations to the long-serving Liverpool captain. The dust had settled on a lively Champions League night at Anfield and AC Milan technical director Paolo Maldini was stood by the mouth of the tunnel, deep in conversation with the Italian club’s head coach Stefano Pioli and Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.Īs they continued to reflect on a pulsating contest, Maldini broke away from the chat when he spotted Jordan Henderson walking nearby with the man of the match award. The setting was a largely deserted Anfield last September.
Real Madrid in the Champions League final. Follow our live coverage of Liverpool vs.
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