BREAKING NEWS: Jordan Henderson will be included in England squad despite missing Liverpool’s last three games through injury as Jurgen gives his blessing to Klopp despite previously saying his situation is ‘not good’.
- Jordan Henderson has been included in England’s squad for the upcoming games
- Gareth Southgate initially didn’t name Jordan Henderson in his 28-man squad
- His availability is a boost for boss Southgate, who saw Kalvin Phillips retire
- Henderson was substituted off injured in Liverpool’s 2-1 win over Newcastle
- As a result, Henderson has suspended Liverpool’s last three games due to his issue
Jordan Henderson has been included in England’s squad for the games against Italy and Germany after making a faster-than-expected return from injury.
When Henderson damaged a hamstring in Liverpool’s 2-1 win against Newcastle on 31 August, he was slated to be ruled out of those Nations League games, with club manager Jurgen Klopp describing the situation as “not good”.
But as the injury began to wear off, Henderson secretly hoped he would make enough progress for Gareth Southgate to include him in his plans for England’s last camp before the World Cup and stayed in touch with the head coach.
Henderson was included in England’s squad for the games against Italy and Germany
Jurgen Klopp has given his blessing despite previously saying his situation is ‘not good’.
Southgate initially didn’t name Henderson in his group of 28 for the trip to Milan and the Wembley clash he announced last Thursday as the 32-year-old had not featured in any of Liverpool’s previous three games.
However, the plan was that Henderson would join, provided he got through a series of sessions over the weekend without issue, and when he did, he checked in at St George’s Park late Monday night – during The Queen’s Funeral was in progress.
Klopp was delighted his captain left with England to get some playing time and is not worried about his fitness as there was a chance he would have been included in Liverpool’s squad for last weekend’s planned trip to Chelsea if it had not been postponed .
Henderson’s availability is certainly a boost for Southgate, who saw Kalvin Phillips withdraw at the weekend – Phillips has played just 14 minutes in all competitions for Manchester City this season since joining from Leeds for £42m.
Gareth Southgate initially didn’t name Jordan Henderson in his 28-man England squad
Henderson’s availability is certainly a boost for the England manager, who had to withdraw Kalvin Phillips (right) at the weekend
There were also concerns over the form of West Ham’s Declan Rice, who disappointed in his side’s 1-0 defeat at Everton on Sunday, and Chelsea’s Mason Mount; Jude Bellingham and James Ward-Prowse were the other midfielders selected.
For Henderson, the potential to become involved in this camp was of great importance. He only played once for England in 2022 – the friendly at Wembley against Switzerland on March 26 – and did not feature in four games in June as Southgate felt he would benefit from a break.
As this was the last chance for England’s side to be together before they travel to Qatar in November, Henderson wasn’t about to miss it – as was Southgate, who sees him as one of his most important characters.
