Suarez says Liverpool star who 'cost a lot of money' is now a 'role model for English football'

By Shamanth Jayaram

Luis Suarez spoke to UEFA’s official website this week and the Atletico Madrid superstar has heaped praise on Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson.

The Uruguayan was a fan favourite at Liverpool during his time in the Premier League. He played 133 times for the Reds in all competitions and almost helped them win the league title in the 2013/14 season.

Liverpool, unfortunately for them, couldn’t get over the line and Suarez moved on to Barcelona. The Reds had to wait a while before they could get close again, and they finally ended their 30-year wait by winning the Premier League in the 2019/20 season.

Suarez, even though he wasn’t a Liverpool player, was delighted. He heaped praise on Henderson, a player he played with, claiming that the league win has made him ‘greater than he already was’.

Luis Suarez: Jordan Henderson is a role model for English football

The Atletico Madrid man said: “I think he’s a player who’s improved a great deal. When he joined Liverpool, he came with the tag of somebody who had cost a lot of money.

“He was a young, English, coming from Sunderland. This may have put some pressure on him, but as he grew in confidence with the team, he took many things from Gerrard, and from experienced players such as Carragher. He took things on board from me.

“I think that, as a captain, he has matured a lot. During his career, he has helped the club grow, with his personality and playing better football. He’s a role model for English football.

“Winning a Premier League title with Liverpool must have been fantastic for him, and it’s made him greater than he already was.”

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Henderson had his fair share of problems when he first joined Liverpool from Sunderland in 2011. The Reds paid £20 million (BBC) for the Englishman then, which was a pretty big fee considering that he had only played 79 games for the Black Cats.

The midfielder struggled early on in his Liverpool career. It took him a while before he could fulfil his potential, but every Reds fan will agree that he has been a tremendous servant over the last decade.

Suarez is right, Henderson is a role model today. Everyone at Liverpool looks up to him and many across the country admire his leadership, work ethic and everything he has achieved over the last three years.