For me, Jordan somewhat sums up the current Liverpool side, raw, incomplete, but with the basic attributes to be very successful given time and patience, something which unfortunately is rarely afford in football generally, not just on RAWK.
What I like about Henderson is his movement and the way he can travel with the ball while keeping his head up. This means he can bring the play forward comfortably and pop the ball off in tight situations to a man in space. Given his technical ability and the graceful way in which he moves while retaining the ball, he looks like he can become a very good ball carrier for the side in the long run and go on to become a top player at club and international level. Yes he is far from complete, but the basic qualities are already there and he is an intelligent player in a high tempo league still finding his feet. Much like the team in general, at times he has looked very good, others poor, and in general it's his inconsistancy and to a degree his final product which has let him down. The boy has ability though, I can see it. He's also quite versatile.
A player like Henderson is much like a player like Xavi. Yes, Steven Gerrard was firing all guns blazing at 21-22, but Gerrard was physically a lot more imposing and a lot more agressive and dynamic; it was easy for Stevie to stand out because of these obvious qualities. Now compare that to somebody like Xavi (Lucas too), who although technically superior, almost seemed a little out of his depth in the Bacelona side when he was the same age as Jordan, and you can see why some players can stand out more than others given their different strengths. Sometimes, a young player who doesn't take games by the scuff of the neck and obviously stand out, can go on to be a just as good a player as somebody who does. Certain qualities and abilities are easier to see than others. Lucas is a perfect example of a young player who didn't show any outstanding signs of being a great player at a young age, but because of his intelligence and game craft, has gone on to be an influencial part of this team. I feel, Henderson will go much the same way.
He has the foresight to know when to tuck inside when Stevie bombs on, he has the technical quality to keep the ball in tight situations and the passing ability to pick players out even when he is under pressure. He has had poor games this season, but he is one of many playing in a brand new football team and for christ sake, he's 21. Senior players like Carra, Skrtel, Gerrard even Suarez or Reina, have all made mistakes this season in this newly founded Liverpool side and I for one feel that Jordan needs time and support in order to fulfill his, in my opinion, excellent potential. Much like the team does in general.
I think his best role will be the ball carrier in centre midfield, whether we play with 3 through the middle (say, Stevie given the licence to get forward and Lucas holding with Henderson playing a more box to box role) or in a couple of years in just a two man midfield, he has all the required basic qualities, and most importantly the football brain, to be successful in these positions. Even from the right, he has looked capable of doing a job and also allows us to play with a more advanced centre midfielder because he's clever enough to know when he needs to drop in or when he could make a run beyond the strikers (he used to do this more often at Sunderland). For me, like the Liverpool team as a whole, he's just lacking that consistancy and a bit of confidence this season, but given time to settle, get used to his new surroundings and gel with his team mates, I believe he will also become a very important player to our club, particularly when Stevie calls it a day.
But of course this is RAWK, and this is modern day football, so unless he is scoring 10 a season with 15 assists at 21, then he's shite. I'll tell you what's shite - Liverpool fans being the most "intelligent in the world." We have turned into an embarrisment.
