Jordan Henderson consults his diary for a date to present an award for this year’s NHS Big Tea fundraiser. He is the prize. “I’m not sure it’s a good prize,” he says, with typical modesty and a laugh. “But if we get as many schools as possible to enroll in Big Tea, it would be great. I’ll visit the winner of the draw and ask some questions and answers with the kids, although that could be difficult in the coming weeks.” The Liverpool captain’s schedule is once again busy with a Champions League final.
The story awaits him on Saturday in Paris, at the age of 31. At the Stade de France, Henderson will become the first Englishman to lead a team in three Champions League or European Cup finals. “Wow, I didn’t know that,” he says. With a fortune investment against Real Madrid, or another demonstration of the power of Jürgen Klopp’s team, he will emulate Emlyn Hughes as Liverpool’s two-time European Cup captain. Franco Baresi, Paolo Maldini and Carles Puyol are among the select group of skippers who have more than once lifted the famous trophy.
“He says Emlyn Hughes is the only Liverpool captain to have won twice,” says Henderson. “I’m sure he would have said it was the Liverpool team that won it twice, not him. That’s how I see it. If we can win it twice it’s for the team, it’s for the coach, it’s for the staff and for everyone involved.When it’s time to look back, that’s what I’ll think.I never really see it as an “I”.
“Yes, I wear the bracelet on a match day and I spend a lot of time here, but there are many other leaders in the locker room, so many great players, and it is a collective effort. It’s not about me trying to match other amazing captains Liverpool have had, or trying to break records. I’m lucky to be part of a world class team and very proud to be able to wear the bracelet and lead the team. We will give it our all and look forward to bringing another Champions League to Anfield. “
Henderson is a humble and selfless leader, but he speaks with firm conviction of the second Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid in four years, moved to the city where Alan Kennedy’s goal decided the first final clash of clubs 41 years ago.
“I would say they are facing a different Liverpool, no doubt,” said the midfielder. “We did very well to get there when we played for Madrid in the 2018 final. The boys were amazing. But since then we have grown. New players have arrived, we have been successful, we have also had bad times during this period, and from all this we learn. I definitely think this is a different team than Madrid faced a few years ago. “
Jordan Henderson overcomes the Champions League trophy after losing to Real Madrid in the 2018 final. Photo: Tom Jenkins / The Guardian
The biggest difference Henderson identifies with Liverpool is not so much the staff (on Saturday Klopp could select eight from the team that started the 3-1 defeat in Kyiv), but his appetite for success. He has been insatiable throughout the search for four trophies this season. Liverpool were thrilled in the race towards the 2018 final, but it was not an established winner. Henderson’s mix before a trophy lift had not been witnessed. It will be played for the seventh time in three years if Liverpool win their seventh European Cup in Paris.
“The Champions League has always been my dream to win, the Premier League has always been my dream to win, and when you do you have to re-evaluate,” says Henderson. “You have to process it and think, ‘And now what?’ “It’s about the next challenge and finding a way to want it even more. And I think when you’re successful and you win trophies, it makes you even more eager to go back and do it again. Of all the memorable games you need to get there, this season has been amazing. .
“The hunger has always been there, and when you win the hunger grows, and you start thinking about other challenges, like being a team that wins the Champions League twice. Not many players have done that, so winning it twice would be amazing. The same goes for the Premier League, Liverpool’s first team to win it in 30 years. You’re creating history all the time and that’s what it’s all about. The more trophies you win, the more history you create. “
Joy for Jordan Henderson as he lifts the 2019 Champions League trophy Photo: Toby Melville / Reuters
Henderson will have family and friends in Paris, including his father, Brian, whose hug with his son after the 2019 Champions League final was one of the most emotional moments in Madrid. “It would be good to repeat that,” said the English international, who has been rested for all four League of Nations games in June. The NHS Big Tea is at the heart of its summer agenda.
After organizing the #PlayersTogether initiative at the start of the pandemic, talks had begun between Premier League captains before then-Health Secretary Matt Hancock asked players to “reduce pay and make his role, “Henderson, awarded an MBE for services last year, is now an ambassador for NHS Charities Together. The organization works with more than 230 NHS charities to provide additional support to staff, patients and volunteers, including counseling and psychological support for post-traumatic stress disorder, and funds more than 700 community partnership projects.
The NHS Big Tea is the annual charity fundraiser, which encourages the nation to celebrate the NHS anniversary by hosting a tea party while raising money. Schools are being encouraged to host events that will contribute to staff mental health projects and the long-term recovery of the NHS after Covid-19. Participating schools will be entered into a free raffle to have a chance to win a visit from Henderson. Her NHS Big Tea promotion, which takes place on July 5, is her latest way to return to the health service her father treated for cancer in 2013.
Jordan Henderson hugs his father, Brian, after the 2019 Champions League final. Photo: BPI / Rex / Shutterstock
“I became more aware of the mental health aspect through #PlayersTogether and it’s something we’ve focused on with NHS Charities Together,” says Henderson. “We’ve practically returned to normal life, but the last few years have had a massive impact on NHS staff. It’s been very emotional to meet some of the staff and listen to what they’ve been through. It’s been a very humble experience. I have a great experience. I admire what they do and what they have done over the last few years, and if I can help in a small way, I will. .
Henderson remains in regular contact with NHS Charities Together CEO Ellie Orton about how #PlayersTogether revenue is allocated. “Ellie knows better than me where she has to go. But she updates me and when she goes to the hospitals she will tell me what has been done to help, be it quiet rooms, spaces, bring staff to help with the look Mental health, staff family packages during Covid, communities, many different areas – I was pleased to see that it has had a huge impact on the pandemic.
“This is due to the players who have been involved, not only in terms of money, and I know that money has helped and will help, but the emotional element of the support we gave to the staff during this period was also important. . A lot of people love football in this country and I’m sure a lot of the team loves the different players from different teams, so getting together and supporting NHS staff at a time of need had a greater impact. We didn’t want PlayersTogether to be public. We knew it would probably end up coming out, but we wanted to do it in private and we wanted to do it because we wanted to help. “
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Klopp has tried to help his players overcome the intensity of a 63-game season with no margin for error by repeating the mantra: enjoy the journey. Henderson has no doubt that Liverpool will recover from deflation in the Premier League final before reaching their final destination in Paris.
“I try [to enjoy the journey]”he says. “We’ve got a lot going on in the Champions League and we have to give it our all. Hopefully we can take the trophy to Anfield. It’s going to be a pretty good season. let it happen “.
Anyone can host or participate in an NHS Big Tea throughout July. For more information, to register, or to register at your school for Jordan Henderson’s visit raffle, visit www.nhscharitiestogether.co.uk.