Jude Bellingham believes Jordan Henderson deserves more credit following his contribution in England's 3-0 victory over Senegal.
The Liverpool midfielder opened the scoring at the Al Bayt Stadium last night as the Three Lions saw off the current AFCON holders in Al Khor after further goals from Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka. Gareth Southgate's side will now face France in the last eight of the competition.
Playing alongside Bellingham in a midfield three, Henderson had faced some criticism for his selection in England's starting XI. Proving his worth to the side with another strong showing in the Middle East, the Borussia Dortmund star sent a firm message to those who doubt Liverpool's captain.
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''[It was a] Brilliant performance and I seen some of the rubbish that was said about him playing. It’s ridiculous, [Henderson is] so underrated technically and he’s delivered in a big game with a massive game so I think it’s about time he gets respect,'' Bellingham told ITV following England's triumph.
Praising the sheer depth in Southgate's squad, the former Birmingham City man was also keen to reiterate the fluidity he feels is being allowed to both him, Henderson and fellow midfielder Declan Rice this tournament.
He added: 'I think when you have that much quality in the team, you don’t have to work on it much but we get given patterns and try to follow them as best as we can and when we have players that we do, they can play on one touch, two touch. You can break them down and be free.''
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