Hendo the Hero

It's not everyday you can say Jordan Henderson scored the match winner, but yesterday he did. He not only scored the winner but also secured the club's progress to the knockout stages. This guarantees LFC will taste European football in 2013 at the very least.

He's a much maligned player by a large section of the fans who were mystified when KD signed him for a decent sum. It can be argued that he was played out of position last season even though he was a regular. His performances last season were not largely impressive and he wasn't helped this season with a change of managers.

The new manager clearly didn't rate him highly especially if the rumors he was willing to trade him to Fulham as part of the Dempsey deal are true. Hendo must be given credit for deciding to stick around and prove his mettle. He's been asked to play a variety of positions to get game time in some games and hasn't made a big deal out of it.

While only BR knows how playing him as right-back can be justified, his willingness to play anywhere for the team has seen him rewarded by starting games in the middle. The game against Wigan was key for me as I think bringing him on for Suso did enable us take control of the midfield and go ahead to win the game.

In some ways I see potential parallels with Lucas. Here's a player who wasn't initially welcomed by the fans, who seemed to be played time and time by the manager without this seeming justified. After the departure of Mascherano, it was clear that he stepped up his game to become a pivotal figure whose importance was emphasized with his absence for a significant period last season. In Hendo's case, he clearly isn't in BR's starting midfield 3, though I must confess I still think we could have saved the money on Allen and played Hendo in that position. However, there is a potential to be an important squad player as the game against Udinese has shown. He would also be my first player of the bench if we needed to freshen things up in games or an able deputy to rotate in when games come thick and fast.

I believe Hendo has the potential and quality to be an important part of the team. There is a reason why he is an England international and captain of the U-21's. It's just a question of being patient and grabbing a chance when it presents itself. In my view he and Jonjo have that ability to play anywhere in the middle 3, though Jonjo definitely has more of an eye for goal than Hendo and arguably has moved ahead of him in the pecking order.

For now though, let's give kudos where they are due and proclaim, cometh the Hero, cometh the Hendo!