Jordan Henderson backs FSG to continue to do âgood thingsâ for Liverpool
Joanna Durkan
23 April 2021
Jordan Henderson is under no doubt that Liverpoolâs owners will continue to do âgood thingsâ for the club despite their latest own goal in the form of the fallen Super League.
The captain was at the heart of the Redsâ unified response to the breakaway league on Tuesday hours before its collapse which said in no uncertain terms how the players viewed the move.
Henderson had even organised a meeting of the leagueâs captains to address the situation in another show of fine leadership.
The same cannot be said of FSG who have come under significant fire since Sunday, but Hendersonâs belief in the owners is unwavering as he acknowledged their failings in his official programme notes for Newcastleâs visit on Saturday.
âIt has been an extraordinary week for football and for our club in particular,â Henderson penned. âThis might be the strangest column I ever write in this programme, as being critical of my own employers isnât something I do easily.
âParticularly as I am privileged to know the people involved on a personal level as well as a professional one.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Friday, April 26, 2019: Liverpool's owner John W. Henry and wife Linda Pizzuti during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Huddersfield Town AFC at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
âThey have done good things for our club and I believe they will continue to do so. Itâs important for me to state this at the beginning, even if it isnât popular. It would be dishonest of me to say anything else.
âThe best relationships you have in life are those that are built on honesty, so I cannot comment on this issue without saying what I think.
âIt was a concept I didnât like, didnât support and didnât want to see happen. I think it would have been bad for football. There has to be risk and reward in sport, otherwise whatâs the point?
âThere has to be jeopardy. You should earn your success. It was my biggest issue with the proposal and why as a player I was firmly against it.
âAgain, in keeping with the need for honesty, as players we werenât consulted beforehand and that was a mistake. As was the failure to engage with supporters. I understand and share the disappointment of our own fans and the wider football community for this failing.
âIâve been brought up with the values that you try to fix these things from within where possible â the old clichĂŠ of not âairing dirty laundry in publicâ â and as players thatâs how we approached it when the news broke. The owners asked for our honest view and they got it.
A new mural of Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson lifting the Premier League trophy and former captain Alan Hansen lifting the league trophy by artist Paul Curtis on the gable end of a house on Old Barn Road in Anfield, Liverpool. (Peter Byrne/PA Wire/PA Images)
âItâs why as players we spoke with a collective voice on Tuesday night. This wasnât an act of defiance â it was just us being honest and our ownership respected that.â
An apology did arrive through John Henry for the fans, Klopp and his players and like his manager, it was enough for Henderson who respects others may view FSGâs reign in a different light.
âIt is good that Liverpool withdrew and the concept has collapsed,â Henderson continued. âThatâs good for football. Itâs also good that our owners, via John Henry, have apologised unreservedly.
âPeople can disagree with me saying this, but my opinion is that our owners have been good for Liverpool. If you have a problem with me saying that, fair enough and I respect that.
âBut my opinion is built on my own first-hand experiences, from the enormously privileged position of being a player and captain of this football club.â
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