:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51584307/606515214.0.jpg)
Any Liverpool fan knows that Jordan Henderson is the type of player to cover as much of the pitch as possible. He's a tireless, diligent, and intelligent midfielder who strives to serve the needs of the team.
It may be unsurprising to find out that no Premier League player has run more than Jordan Henderson, according to statistics from Opta. Interestingly, no other player makes the top ten, but only Manchester City have more possession than Liverpool after nine games played. The Reds are not only hounding opposition for the ball but keeping it for long periods.
Henderson has run 106.49km this season ahead of Chelsea midfield duo N'Golo Kanté (104.95km) and Nemanja Matić (104.06km). Just running isn't going to be enough to impress, and Henderson has broken new ground this season. Captaining England is clearly a milestone for the 26-year-old, but adapting to a new midfield position is a more impressive feat. Henderson isn't known as a ball-winning midfielder, but only three Premier League players have made more tackles per game than Liverpool's captain.
Playing for a manager like Jürgen Klopp is demanding for any player, but Henderson excelling as the deepest midfielder in a midfield three demands respect. It turns out that younger players are looking to the former Sunderland midfielder as an example for them to follow in the future. Kevin Stewart filled in for Henderson at the base of midfield against Tottenham Hotspur in midweek and praised his captain's influence.
"He’s very consistent," Stewart said. "He rarely gives the ball away, he’s really safe in his play, defensively really good and offers a lot of protection. When the front players need to do their bit, he’s always there for insurance. He’s just a leader in general.
"He is really experienced and has gone down the path I want to in the future. To see what he goes through and what he is doing is really important, to have a look and not copy him exactly but learn from what he does."
This season is beginning to feel like the season Henderson should have experienced last campaign without the presence of Steven Gerrard. The midfielder looks confident, is playing well, and appears to be vital to his team's chances on the pitch. Liverpool's running man is making his mark.