Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson was all set to start in England’s crucial UEFA Nations League match against Croatia yesterday, but a recurrence of a hamstring injury meant he was left out of the starting line up.
The midfielder had come on as a second-half substitute against the USA on Thursday and looked to be building up his fitness after a few weeks out.
However, England manager Gareth Southgate said Henderson “wasn’t fully happy” about his fitness, and he is now in a race against time to be fit for Liverpool’s game against Watford on Saturday.
Some supporters on Twitter were frustrated that the Reds talisman is out of action once again:
FFS! The lad has no luck at all.
— Armagh Red (@Armagh_Red) 18 November 2018
Hendo broken again on needless England duties. Should have been kept at melwood to conti us his rdcovery/ fitness. Happens every time. It's a joke.
— Bravo 1 Niner (@Bravo1Niner) 18 November 2018
Dam!!! Get well soon captain!
— Saunak (@007sak007) 18 November 2018
Like the lad but it’s becoming a joke now, no use if he’s constantly picking up knocks
— Dyl?? (@Dylan_Crampton) 18 November 2018
Need him healthy he's an important part of our rotation hope it's nothing long term
— AGENT ORANGE (@Quosanic) 18 November 2018
However, there are some who believe he will not be missed:
More fabinho time … awesome <3
— Filis (@FiliDaGreat) 18 November 2018
we need to sell henderson and lallana
— Virgil Van Captain (@december1515) 18 November 2018
Injury prone bin
— Big Gift (@BiGift2) 18 November 2018
If this guy Horrenderson had any care for LFC as a team he would hand over the armband and concentrate on his fitness and getting his technical ability and skills up a few levels
— cAs (@cas6688) 18 November 2018
We must buy new player.
— Kiné CHOI (@kinechoi) 18 November 2018
Henderson has had a very difficult start to the season due to fitness problems. After returning late in pre-season due to the World Cup, he only made his first start of the campaign against Leicester in September.
He then suffered a hamstring injury against Huddersfield in October which has restricted him to just 20 minutes of first team action over the past month.