England head coach Gareth Southgate has labelled experienced midfielder Jordan Henderson a "role model" and claimed that he cannot understand why the Al-Ettifaq man was booed off the field in Friday's friendly win over Australia.
The former Liverpool captain was given the nod in the centre of the park for the visit of the Socceroos and completed 62 minutes of that encounter while donning the armband.
Henderson was taken off for Kieran Trippier not long after the Three Lions broke the deadlock - allowing Trent Alexander-Arnold to come into a midfield position - and he was jeered by a section of the Wembley fanbase as he jogged off.
Henderson has been the subject of incessant criticism since ending his 12-year stay at Anfield to join Steven Gerrard's Saudi Pro League side, especially given his previous unwavering support for the LGBTQ+ Community.
The 33-year-old recently affirmed in a detailed interview that he was not financially motivated to move to the Middle East, but he was nevertheless denounced by 3LIONSPRIDE - a leading LGBTQ+ England supporters' group - who stated that their individual support for Henderson would cease.
© Reuters
Speaking to reporters in his post-match press conference, Southgate was at a loss to explain why Henderson was targeted by the crowd and hailed the midfielder's "hugely important" contributions on the field.
"I really don't understand it. He's a player, 79 caps for England, his commitment and what he's delivered for England is exceptional," Southgate said, as quoted by Sky Sports News. "His role on and off the pitch is phenomenally important. He's taken the likes of Bellingham under his wing. He's a role model for the group in every part of his work.
"Some people decided to boo. I really don't understand what that's for. We play Italy here on Tuesday, come on let's get behind this team. I know we weren't at our best tonight, but we made a lot of changes.
"I think he knitted and held things together quite a bit today. You need leadership, we didn't have a lot of caps on the field so Hendo's influence before the game, during the game was hugely important and he helped other players get through the game."
Prior to Friday's friendly, Henderson publicly backed the Saudi Arabia bid for the 2034 World Cup - another move which drew significant backlash - but Southgate does not believe that such factors should come into the equation when he pulls on the Three Lions shirt.
© Reuters
"I don't really know why a player would receive an adverse reaction because of where he plays. What has that got to do with supporting a guy wearing an England shirt?," Southgate added.
"Yeah, clearly, I don't understand it. I know what's created it and I know why it has happened, but it defies logic to me that you would give a player who is playing and putting his heart and soul into playing for England... why boo him? How is that going to help him or help the team?"
When pressed on Henderson's principles, a defiant Southgate replied: "Well, yeah, I don't really know where we are heading with everything. I'm hugely impressed with the impeccable values and decisions that everybody in our country is making then."
Five minutes before Henderson's withdrawal, Ollie Watkins tapped home at the back post to propel a second-string England team to an uninspiring 1-0 win over the Australians, who looked the more threatening team in the first half.
England now have three full days to recuperate before Italy visit Wembley for Tuesday's pivotal Euro 2024 qualifier.
Ben Knapton
