‘I can tell you’: Jordan Henderson suggests returning Liverpool duo are looking good in training – HITC
HITC Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images Liverpool ace Jordan Henderson has heaped praise on both Rhys Williams and Leighton Clarkson after they returned from disappointing loan spells. Not everybody can be quite like Sepp van den Berg, who has become a fan favourite at Preston since heading to Deepdale on loan. Some Liverpool players struggle to shine out on loan, with both Williams and Clarkson fitting that description. Williams featured in the Liverpool first team last season, stepping up to help Jurgen Klopp during his injury crisis at the back. With injured defenders back this season and Ibrahima Konate on board, Williams was pushed back down the Liverpool pecking order. Liverpool decided to send Williams on loan to Swansea City, hoping that he would gain valuable experience in the Championship. Unfortunately, Williams played just five Championship games for Swansea and has been recalled by Liverpool. The same goes for young midfielder Clarkson, who made an emotional loan move to hometown club Blackburn Rovers. But after just four league starts for Rovers, Clarkson has also been brought back to Liverpool and hasn’t been sent elsewhere. The young duo are unlikely to feature in Liverpool’s first team between now and the summer, and will likely be limited to Under-23 games. Still, the pair have now been hailed by midfielder Henderson, who has praised their returns to Liverpool’s AXA Training Centre. Henderson has told Liverpool’s official website that he thinks both players have matured greatly even if their loans away didn’t exactly work as intended. Henderson noted that not all loans go the right way but can still help shape you as a player and as a person, which is something Williams and Clarkson will look to take great value from. “Rhys Williams and Leighton Clarkson have returned from Swansea and Blackburn respectively and are involved with us at the AXA again,” said Henderson. “I can tell you from seeing them in training both have taken many positives from their time away. Both look to have matured from being in a different environment and facing different types of challenges.” “There is no perfect formula to any loan. Having done it myself, at a young age, it’s about what you take from it yourself. As long as you view it as an opportunity, it can only help your development and future,” he added. In other news, ‘Inexcusable’: BBC pundits stunned by ‘crazy’ incident in Rangers vs BVB
