Henderson stood up to furious Keane in dressing room and earned his respect

25 February 2023 , 02:00

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Roy Keane let rip at a group of young Sunderland players during his tenure (Image: Getty Images)

A teenage Jordan Henderson issued a stern response when he was quizzed by Roy Keane on his Sunderland prospects.

The now Liverpool star, who has lifted every possible trophy during his decade at Anfield, began his career in the north east at the Stadium of Light. He blossomed as a teenager with Keane giving him his debut back in 2008 after he'd impressed in the youth ranks.

A young Henderson and his U21 team-mates faced the wrath of the Irishman after they failed to perform in a friendly outing. The gaffer took aim at the players, criticising many of them individually during a post-match debrief. But when he got to Henderson, he posed the question about whether the midfielder could cut it in the first-team - to which the now England star said, emphatically, yes.

Henderson told the High Performance Podcast: "We had a friendly game for Sunderland U21s away to Gateshead, which isn't far, but wasn't great, we didn't play well. I don't think Roy went to the game, it was just his staff. We're getting the coach back to the training ground and on the way back everyone has to go to in because the gaffer wants to see us - everyone's face went white.

"We all go in, waiting in this room and Roy comes in and says something along the lines of 'this f***ing sums you lot up'. Then he starts going round everyone individually, I think someone just signed and was reminded of his fee. Talking about the game, saying we're not good enough.

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"He went round and I'm just standing there, dripping in sweat. So he gets to me, looks at us and says 'do you think you could play in the first-team?' and I just responded 'yeah'. He says 'good, because the staff said you were the only one who was running around', then he moved on."

Jordan Henderson became a Sunderland regular as a teenager

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Henderson would go on to become a regular with the Black Cats, making his England debut whilst wearing Sunderland colours. An impressive 2010/11 season attracted interest and saw Liverpool eventually win the race for his signature, paying around £20m.

The midfielder has had to revive his career on Merseyside, having once looked set for the exit door under Brendan Rodgers. Jurgen Klopp though has made him a mainstay with Henderson now a firm favourite with the Kop.

"I will always back myself, but I'd always do it inside," he said on his own belief. "I've never seen the point in coming out and backing myself, speaking, talking and telling people - like why? I'll do my talking on the pitch."

Samuel Meade