EXCLUSIVE: Humble Henderson: I've still got it all to do

Jordan Henderson has secured a £20million transfer to Liverpool, agreed a £15million contract to set him up for life and has the world at his feet under new boss Kenny Dalglish.

But ask the 20-year-old when he first realised he was good enough to make it as a professional footballer and he bounces back an answer that will warm Anfield.

EXCLUSIVE: Henderson dismisses Under-21s burnout fear  

“Make it?" he said. "I still don’t believe I have made it.”

But why doesn’t a lad with one senior England cap, a fresh start challenging for honours with Liverpool, and potential oozing from his boots, not pat himself on the back now and then and think he’s done okay?

“As a young footballer, if you think you have made it you are on a downward slope,” added Henderson.

“I don’t think I can ever feel I've made it. I have a lot of things to achieve and a lot to do and football is a short career.”

The response is a perfect illustration of why Dalglish has willingly paid a premium to harvest another starlet in his “buy young and British” recruitment policy.

Land Henderson and you get the qualities that will be the foundation on which Liverpool FC is rebuilt under Dalglish - graft, dedication, energy and an appreciation of the roots that have served him so well this far.

In fact, Henderson only moved out from his parents' house last year.

“My family and friends will always keep my feet on the ground," he said. "When I am not doing well I got double the criticism from them, and double the praise when doing well. Perhaps that is because they are all Sunderland fans.”

Henderson has been on a quick learning curve this season.

Blistering form, and some prodigious ProZone stats - more than 13k covered per game on average - saw him help Sunderland into the top six and had manager Steve Bruce fielding calls from top four managers asking about his availability.

He earned an England cap in the tough defeat to France in November, but was played in an unfamiliar role. Then, earlier this year, his form dipped, and on a couple of occasions he got flak from Wearside fans.

Henderson was also unsettled as he changed agents, causing some turmoil behind the scenes.

That blip was quickly put right.

Bruce settled the situation, urging Henderson to stay at Sunderland for another couple of seasons, while also admitting he couldn’t turn down a huge offer if it came. And Henderson’s effervescence in training made him impossible to rest.

When his transfer to Liverpool was in its early stages, Henderson sat down with MirrorFootball to discuss his career.

“I know I can improve and learn a lot," he said. "I have to. I need to score more goals, get into attacking positions and finish.”

Henderson’s strengths suggest he could end up in the mould of a Frank Lampard or David Platt, depending on how he develops under Dalglish.

That would certainly answer the critics who ask questions such as: What does he actually do? and How can that fee be justified?

A young man mature beyond his years, Henderson said that during the difficult times last season he kept in mind how he felt as a six-year-old starting out - just a kid who loved a kick about with Fulwell Juniors, before being scouted by Anthony Smith, a former Sunderland player.

That led to happy days learning technique in the club’s Academy of Light and the wondrous feeling that he might one day become a professional.

David Beckham was a hero and he had posters of players, some of whom he now plays against, on his bedroom wall.

“When I was young, football was all I wanted to do," said Henderson. "Everyone said. 'Get a fall-back', but I only had football on my mind. I was confident I could achieve that.

"Now I always remind myself of what it was like being a kid and pulling on a replica strip and playing.

“I am doing it for real now and it is a dream to play for your country or your club. When I get picked for any side, I just remember what an honour it is - and how from the age of six it is what I’ve practiced and trained to do.”

Henderson had a tough baptism for England but a new stage at Anfield will only help his international ambitions.

He added: “It was a great moment. Something special. It was only once and I can’t stop there. If I work hard, hopefully more caps will come. That is my aim.

“But the debut was difficult. France played well and are a really good team. I learned a lot from it.

“I was around the seniors for a few days. Training with those lads and watching and listening and taking it all in was an experience. They were brilliant with me. If I do the right things, I hope to get back in the squad and stay there.”

Which is just the sort of grounded attitude that could see Henderson fulfil his potential at Liverpool.

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JORDAN HENDERSON FACTFILE

1990: Born in Sunderland on June 17.

2008: After impressing for the Wearsiders at youth team and Under-18 level, makes Premier League debut against Chelsea in November.

2009: January - Goes on loan to Coventry, playing 13 games and scoring in 2-1 win at Norwich.

September - Grabs first Sunderland goal in 2-0 Carling Cup defeat of Birmingham.

December - Nets first Premier League goal in 4-3 defeat at Manchester City.

2010: April - Signs new five-year deal with Sunderland.

August - Makes England Under-21 debut in match against Uzbekistan in Bristol.

October - Volleys opening goal in England Under-21s' 2-1 defeat of Romania in Norwich.

November: Makes senior England debut, starting in a 2-1 friendly loss to France.

2011: May: Named Sunderland's young player of the year for the second consecutive season. Selected for England Under-21s' European Championship squad.