Jordan Henderson just got a raise, which is nice for any worker. Given a standard “40-hour” workweek the Liverpool midfielder will make $3750 an hour, which is pretty good (I guess).
The Reds announced the previously-speculated $150,000/week, five-year deal on Thursday, sealing the services of the 24-year-old through the 2019/20 Premier League season.
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Henderson has made 180 appearances for the club since arriving from his hometown club, Sunderland, in 2011. He’s 20-times capped for England, and among the front-runners for the captain’s armband when Steven Gerrard leaves for Los Angeles this summer.
Predictably and understandably, he’s thrilled:I’m over the moon that it’s finally done. There has been talk about it for a while now. It’s brilliant news for me to commit my future to this football club - I really feel that it’s a good time for us to look forward to the future, with the squad we’ve got, the manager, the size of the club and the fans we’ve got. I really think, over the next few years, we can challenge and start winning trophies. That’s the next phase; we’ve improved massively over the last few years, and I think the next phase for us is to start challenging for titles and trophies as well.
Why do you think Liverpool is the club long-term for you?
I always have. A few years ago I had an opportunity to leave but I always knew how big this club is and I wanted to stay here for as long as possible - and nothing has changed since then. I feel as though I have got a good connection with the club now and I really feel a good connection with the fans as well. So, for me, there was no doubt where my future was going to be and it was just a matter of time for my agent and the club to sort it out. For me, it was purely based on concentrating on my football and then hopefully it would get sorted out. Thankfully, it is now.
It’s a good signing for the Reds, who hold onto an engine room leader who has shown he can contribute on attack and tackle almost as well. Rodgers is clearly pumped, too:
“Jordan is a brilliant professional and his dedication to his career and football in general makes him a role model to all young players.
“He has faced adversity in his time at Liverpool, but his improvement, growth and development is entirely down to his own hunger, commitment and willingness to learn and be better.
“The fact he has made such a long-term commitment to Liverpool is a sign of his belief in what we are looking to do here.”
With Daniel Sturridge and Philippe Countinho already signed long-term, does Henderson’s contract encourage Raheem Sterling to sign a deal? After all, Henderson has signed for what Sterling was reportedly offered, and chose to hold out for $195,000/year. If his wage demands remain the same, could Liverpool refuses to meet them on the grounds that the future captain accepted the wages... why should’t Sterling?