Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson unconcerned by Sir Alex Ferguson’s comments

Jordan Henderson (R)

Jordan Henderson has brushed off comments from Sir Alex Ferguson earlier this season that questioned his running style, claiming it to be a compliment that the former Manchester United boss was watching him so closely.

Ferguson had revealed in his autobiography that he had declined the opportunity to sign Henderson from Sunderland, as he had felt that his gait ‘might cause him injury problems later in his career’.

Henderson has since enjoyed a fine season for Liverpool to prove him wrong, and is now expected to be one of the first names on Roy Hodgson’s list to take to Brazil for the World Cup.

Ferguson’s comments were viewed as an insult to Henderson, who had struggled to make much of an impact prior to this season at Anfield, but the midfielder has chosen to take the positives from those quotes.

Henderson said, “It was sort of a compliment, to be honest. If you read what was said, he and Steve Bruce were talking and Steve was speaking very highly of me at the time.

“And Sir Alex decided against a move because of my running style. I think I must have been doing something right for him to be watching me so closely!

“I tend not to look too much into it. I just have to focus on myself and make sure I feel physically right.

“If it works for me, it works for me. No one has ever said anything before. Like I say, he knows what he’s talking about.”

Henderson has since gone on to become on of the indispensable members of Brendan Rodgers’ side, who have surprised many people by putting together a title challenge, enjoying life above Ferguson’s former charges at Manchester United.

Henderson has been an ever-present in Liverpool’s side this season and has created 39 chances for the team, claiming five assists in the process.

For a man who has had his running style questioned, Henderson has also managed to complete 12 take-ons, while he managed to find a Red shirt with 87% of his passes.