Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson has been awarded the Football Writers’ Association Men’s Footballer of the Year award.
The Reds captain becomes the fourth Liverpool player since 1990 to be handed the award, following the likes of Steven Gerrard (08-09), Luis Suarez (13-14) and Mohamed Salah (17-18).
Henderson received over a quarter of the votes, having led Liverpool to their first league title in 30 years and their first since the Premier League’s inception in 1992.
“I’d like to say how appreciative I am of the support of those who voted for me; and the Football Writers’ Association in general,” Henderson said.
“You only have to look at the past winners of it, a number of whom I’ve been blessed to play with here at Liverpool, like Stevie [Gerrard], Luis [Suarez] and Mo [Salah] to know how prestigious it is.”
Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk and Sadio Mane also finished in the top five, alongside Manchester City midfielder Kevin de Bruyne and Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford.
The Reds have had a remarkable couple of seasons, having clinched the Champions League, Super Cup, Club World Cup and Premier League – all in the space of 14 months.
Henderson, who’s currently sidelined through a knee injury, gave supporters another glimpse of his trademark shuffle as he lifted the title on the Kop having been congratulated by Liverpool legend Sir Kenny Dalglish as he came on the podium.
“But as grateful as I am I don’t feel like I can accept this on my own,” Henderson added. “I don’t feel like anything I’ve achieved this season or in fact during my whole career has been done on my own.
“I owe a lot to so many different people – but none more so than my current teammates – who have just been incredible and deserve this every bit as much as I do.
“We’ve only achieved what we’ve achieved because every single member of our squad has been brilliant. And not just in matches. Not just in producing the moments that make the headlines and the back pages but every day in training.
“The players who’ve started the most games for us this season have been as good as they have been because of our culture and our environment at Melwood. No one individual is responsible for that – it’s a collective effort and that’s how I view accepting this honour.
“I accept it on behalf of this whole squad, because without them I’m not in a position to be receiving this honour. These lads have made me a better player – a better leader and a better person.
“If anything I hope those who voted for me did so partly to recognise the entire team’s contribution.”
While Henderson has played a pivotal role in this exceptional Liverpool side, his work off the pitch has also drawn plaudits from many quarters.
The 30-year-old helped put together the league-wide #PlayersTogether initiative, which helped raise money for the NHS during the brunt of the coronavirus pandemic.
