Stuart Pearce has hailed the value of Jordan Henderson’s leadership on the pitch for both club and country.
The former England caretaker manager believes the manner in which the Liverpool skipper barks orders has helped set him apart from Tottenham’s Eric Dier.
Both had been in direct battle for a starting spot at the World Cup, with Henderson eventually getting the nod from manager Gareth Southgate and playing a prominent role in Russia.
A once divisive duel has since become a more straight forward case of the Spurs midfielder playing understudy to his compatriot.
Pearce told Sky Sports: “After the World Cup everyone knows which one is by far the best one.”
“I think Henderson offers leadership as well. As every game goes by, he is the captain of Liverpool Football Club. You can see in his body language he is cajoling them and bullying people around him in a nice way.”
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He added: “He’s got a bit of both. He might not thread that little pass but he will get on the ball. I wouldn’t say he’s a total out-and-out holding midfield player but he knows positionally where to be at the right time.”
“Henderson helps make England tick with his energy and leadership.”
Whether it has been his unflinching willingness to receive the ball or his unfiltered tendency to bellow instructions, the 28-year-old’s demanding nature has been evident in the early months of the campaign.
Whilst he hasn’t always offered the required inspiration on the ball, he remains a difficult man for both Southgate and Jurgen Klopp to dislodge from their respective teams on the basis of his tone-setting work ethic and aggression.
Henderson will, however, be absent for Monday’s UEFA Nations League clash with Spain due to suspension following his yellow card against Croatia on Friday.