Liverpool put Newcastle United to the sword on Saturday in the Premier League with an assured display which ended 2-0 and another three points for Jurgen Klopp’s men.
The performance of Jordan Henderson caught the eye of the Times pundit and Sky Sports regular Tony Cascarino, who remarked that the midfielder was up there with the elite midfielders in the Premier League, and was every bit as good as N’Golo Kante.
He also felt that the Reds ace was on a par with Mo Salah in terms of importance to the side.
The England international partnered Emre Can in the centre of the park for the league clash and the ex-Ireland international said that despite not being as extravagant as some of the other players at Anfield, his ability to keep the game simple was key to the Reds success.
Writing in his column in the Times, Cascarino said: “When I hear fans criticising Jordan Henderson I think: ‘am I watching a different game.’ He is as important to Liverpool as all their flair players.
“He keeps things simple, he robs the ball off the opposition and brings energy to the midfield. He also chips in with the odd goal.
“Henderson’s work allows the creative players to express themselves; on Saturday, he allowed Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to get forward to set up the opening goal for Mo Salah.
“Matic, Fernandinho and Manchester City and N’Golo Kanté at Chelsea get the praise for that role, but Henderson does it as well as anyone else.”
But they were comments that were laughed off by the Reds faithful who ridiculed the former Aston Villa and Chelsea forward and felt that his comparison of the 27-year-old to the title winner was ridiculous and a joke.
Here is a selection of responses on Twitter to Cascarino’s statement:
Wish he was
— William Parry (@William78513069) March 5, 2018
Please don't let kloop to see this man. He won't bring Jorginho next summer ????????
— Nimesh Rajapaksha (@NimeshCoutinho) March 5, 2018
He’s a good player at best he still doesn’t know how to tackle. He needs to learn how to drive forward with the ball an start to try an get on the score sheet because he can hit the ball. But he’s not in the same league as kante
— mikey (@Mikeyk16Jade) March 5, 2018
Loooooool he's not as bad as people make him out to be but matic and kante are a different class
— Ash (@ashk2000) March 5, 2018
Henderson needs to do one thing and that is be consistent in my eyes.
— CeekayLFC (@CeekayLFC) March 5, 2018
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha…. Tony Cascarino…. hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha… is he on meds??? Or are they “recreational”??? 1 OK game and this a$$wipe is a “talent”…??? Hahahahahahahahaha… NOT starting 11 material for LFC!!!!! Fact!
— RB (@KingKopite) March 5, 2018
He's inconsistent ….
— azraa motalieb (@Azy_wazy) March 5, 2018
Erm…what???
— Chris Dibbs (@dibbsy94) March 5, 2018
In other Liverpool news, confirmed: Klopp makes difficult team line-up decision v Porto, fans will be concerned.
