What Jordan Henderson did to Jude Bellingham after…

What Jordan Henderson did to Jude Bellingham after England loss spotted as roles reversed

'I'm getting protected by a 19-year-old, I love it!' was Jordan Henderson's reaction after hearing Jude Bellingham back him to the hills last week.

The teenager's comments came after England's 3-0 World Cup round-of-16 win against Senegal, a game in which Liverpool captain Henderson swept home the opening goal as part of a typically mature and dynamic performance in the middle of the park. That goal - set up by Bellingham's enterprising drive forward - and the celebration that followed epitomised the relationship the pair have formed during the last month in Qatar.

Such has been the closeness between the midfield duo and Trent Alexander-Arnold that the Reds right-back was compelled to deny fan theories that he and Henderson were acting on behalf of the club in trying to convince their teenage compatriot of a move to Merseyside. Bellingham is set to become one of the most in-demand players in the world come summer, and those in charge at Anfield know they must use every trick in the book to pip the likes of Real Madrid and Manchester City to their man.

With every picture or video of Bellingham coming out of the England camp, Henderson was never far away. When a fan pleaded with the teenager to join Carlo Ancelotti's Madrid, it was Henderson who joked 'no, no, not Madrid', and when a journalist in the mixed zone asked Bellingham if a move to Anfield was on the cards, it was the Liverpool man alongside him as the pair laughed it off.

So when Henderson's relentless performance against Senegal helped the Three Lions progress into the quarter-finals, Bellingham felt equally compelled to demand some 'respect' for the 32-year-old, acting as protector to a man who is 13 years his senior.

On Saturday evening, with England eliminated at the quarter-final stage after a 2-1 defeat to France, the roles were reversed. Gareth Southgate's side rode out a wobbly opening 45 minutes to take charge after the break, but a cheap second concession and Harry Kane's missed penalty saw a promising spell end in heartbreak and an early flight home.

White shirts collapsed to the ground upon the final whistle, with the players understandably devastated to have played so well against the world champions, yet see their tournament over. Bellingham, enjoying his breakout tournament after playing a fringe role in the European Championships last year, was in tears.

Henderson was, of course, the first to approach his disconsolate team0mate. The Sunderland academy graduate has seen and done it all for cub and country, enduring Champions League final heartbreak with Liverpool before bouncing back to win Europe's biggest trophy one year later - and a first Premier League title a year after that.

Roles reversed then, with Henderson protecting the young star he no doubt hopes to see at Anfield in the near future. Bellingham is sure to play another starring role not just at the European Championships in Germany in 2024, but the 2026 World Cup and every other major tournament for the foreseeable future, providing England qualify.

How many more Henderson has left remains to be seen. With a contract at Anfield until 2025, Germany in two years seems likely. USA, Canada and Mexico in 2026 less so.

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