Former Chelsea forward Tony Cascarino has claimed that Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson is one of the best in his position in the Premier League.
Henderson has often been criticised for his impact at Anfield, despite captaining the Merseyside giants and still being used on 26 occasions during an injury-hit campaign.
However, Cascarino has suggested that Henderson performs to the same level as Chelsea's N'Golo Kante and Manchester United's Nemanja Matic, players who are frequently praised for their influence in their respective sides.
In his column in The Times, the 55-year-old 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 Mohamed Salah.
"I was talking about this on the radio yesterday and someone said that he's not as good as Nemanja Matic at Manchester United, but I don't see it. Matic, Fernandinho at Manchester City and N'Golo Kante at Chelsea get the praise for that role, but Henderson does it as well as anyone else."
Henderson has played 267 matches for Liverpool since signing for the club in 2011.
Darren Plant
