Jordan Henderson: The Autobiography: The must-read autobiography from Liverpool’s beloved captain

by Jordan Henderson

Born in Sunderland, Jordan Henderson began his football career there before moving to Liverpool in 2011. After a challenging start at Anfield, Jordan eventually established himself as a talismanic play-making midfielder. In 2015, Jordan took the reins from Steven Gerrard, and under his captaincy Liverpool have won the Champions League and the Premier League - bringing the club its first league title in 30 years. In this book, Jordan charts his decade-long journey with the Reds, the challenges on and off the pitch, and how he established himself as one of the greatest footballers of our time.

Genres: Football, Biography, Nonfiction, Autobiography, Sports

336 pages, Hardcover

Published October 27, 2022

Reviews

[Chloe Evelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars for My Captain ❤️ what a man.

[Hollie · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a big fan of Jordan Henderson I was very much looking forward to this book, and it didn’t disappoint.

The book reflects Jordan’s personality 100%, and you can tell that he has definitely had a big input in writing it. This is not an autobiography in which the subject blows his own trumpet for the entire book, Jordan mentions many many people who have been influential in his life and career.

The main focus of the book is his footballing career, there is not much really regarding growing up and life before football because as fans will be aware, football is his life.

If you are a fan of Jordan Henderson or indeed of Liverpool FC then you will enjoy this insight into our Captain and see just how much he has dedicated his life to his love of the beautiful game.

[Jay Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

I managed to leave this book at my grandparents’ house halfway through reading, in which time we saw the blistering highs of Liverpool winning number 20 and the phenomenal parade celebrations, but also the crushing lows of the events at the end of the parade and the devastating passing of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva.

Henderson’s book closely mirrors this, chronicling the ups and downs of his time at the club. It is a well written account, however, as a fan who’s already lived through the emotional rollercoaster described, I’d have enjoyed more focus on Henderson’s early life and bit more comic relief (e.g. Crouch’s books do this to perfection).

All in all though, this is likely just a reflection of the great man that Henderson is - professionalism personified and football mad!

[em · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m relatively new to the world of football. I fell in love with the beautiful game after watching England at the Euro 2020 tournament. Since then, I’ve been sinking my teeth into the sport, the teams, and the players. Henderson’s book caught my eye at a bookstore and I was immediately blown away with his kindness and empathy in this book. He peels back the layers of what it means to step up as captain game after game, and how much it takes to put on the England shirt. This was a brilliantly emotive book from start to finish and an interesting insight into his life, career, and dreams.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a Sunderland girly I'm a big fan of Jordan Henderson, so I knew I'd enjoy hearing more about his journey into football and throughout his career at Liverpool. I particularly enjoyed the chapters surrounding Covid and winning the title, as everything was literally behind closed doors at the time. I'd definitely like Jordan to publish a follow up when he decides to retire, to find out more about his journey since leaving Liverpool, as its been pretty rocky so far!

[Eileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exceptional, emotional insight into the life of Liverpool's victorious captain. YNWA

[Laura-leigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Standard footballer fare.

[Nigel Williams · Rating 2 out of 5]

Jordan’s real impact on Liverpool only became apparent several seasons after signing but under Jurgen Klopp he clearly became an integral part of a brilliant group of players & it was for this reason I decided to give the audiobook a listen … I’d avoided listening initially as I like to hear the author narrate however on this occasion Jordan only narrates the initial chapter & for fear of sounding unkind, a few minutes into the first chapter I was glad a professional narrator would be reading the remainder of the book. Let’s just say Henderson was a better footballer than narrator !
Unfortunately the writing of this book pretty much matches Jordan’s reading style … whilst it spans his career, 90% of it could be written by any sports writer … it’s pretty much “then we beat Burnley at home followed by an away victory at Old Trafford which never fails to put a smile on my face”.
Whilst any autobiography has to chart events, the majority of this book only covers what most football fans already know. I don’t want scandal or shock but there’s a glaring lack of any actual anecdotes associated with events & when there is, it seems like Henderson feels he has to provide commentary reflective of the right thing to say … perhaps unfair but my mind often drifted to his decision to leave Liverpool for Saudi.
I expected this book to pretty much be exactly what it is, I’d just hoped to learn a little more

[Rory Hegarty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jordan Henderson is one of my favourite ever footballers. This book sets out why: a player who struggled with criticism and self-doubt, yet made himself the best he could be, ending up captaining Liverpool to every trophy available to them. It’s a story of determination and willing himself to succeed - and he tells it with typical modesty and self-effacement.

Not only that, but the essential decency of Henderson as a man shines through: his leadership in the #Playerstogether initiative to support health workers during Covid; his passionate support for inclusion including Premier League players taking the knee; his fierce opposition to the abandoned European Super League project on the grounds of sporting integrity. There is also a real sense of his kindness and compassion to the players he leads and the staff at Liverpool, his great relationships with England colleagues and the sense he is a leader among Premier League captains.

Henderson was at Liverpool when they nearly won the league in 2014 - indeed his absence in the last few games was probably a factor in why they didn’t - and the story then takes us through the triumphs and dramas of the Jurgen Klopp era - a real page turner.

Here’s to you, Jordan Henderson: the book made me admire you even more.

[Frederik · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is extremely ordinary, like the interviews footballers give after matches which lack proper substance. I can only assume this is due to him still being an active footballer for both his country and club. There are no earth shattering exposes, and the book contained very little new information as a Liverpool supporter. There was shockingly few pages around his upbringing and time at Sunderland, and the whole book felt quite rushed (the letters on the pages are huge, so the 300-pages does not contain that many stories).

The narrative is pretty boring, and it fails to propely display his experiences when winning differents trophies. All the trophies feel kind of meh when reading about them. I hope he publishes another autobiography when his career is over, so we can get more insights into the national team, his clubs, and his upbringing.

[Marek Patak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh captain, my captain! I didn't think a footballer's autobiography could be so good! The book reads very well and quickly, it is lively, dynamic, only a few boring passages. I've followed Jordan Henderson closely since his arrival at Liverpool, so I knew most of the stuff there and it was refreshing to read about it directly from his point of view. I was surprised that Jordan is an overthinker as a character and a big one at that. The central midfielder at Liverpool is not usually the player the media often write about and whose shirts are bought by the fans. But for me Jordan will always remain a quality player and captain who has shown his own way how to replace Steven Gerrard in the team. It's a pity that I was reading this book at the time when his sudden transfer from Liverpool to Saudi Arabia started to happen.

[Chris Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finished Jordan Henderson's autobiography over the weekend and it's a great read for all LFC fans - a must read in fact.

Inspirational and insightful in equal measure with great stories peppered throughout, taking you on a trip down recent memory lane.

More importantly, it's also a lesson in perseverance, hard work, self-belief, leading by example and always trying to do the right thing.

Reading this whilst the team goes through a period of adversity just acts as a reminder of what this group of players and manager have overcame in the past, what they've already achieved together, and what they will achieve in the future.

Believe ❤️

A leader on and off the pitch ⚽️ Thanks for the read Hendo

Captain 🙌🏻

[Natasha Bysouth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the best for any liverpool fan because we get to relive all the wins we’ve had over the years but we also relive the fails we’ve had but that made them the team they are today. It’s not for the faint hearted because we get to be inside the mind of what the liverpool captain was feeling during these times and we can learn to understand how he was feeling believing he was the failure and the problem. Not even just that but we can use this to understand the mind of any football player not just a captain because of the feelings will be similar through the joy and pain they have to experience throughout the season.

[Kwadw(o) Naya: Baa Ankh Em Re A'lyun Eil · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent book.

I did not plan to read it but did, somehow.

Its a good book for all even if they are not into football as it describes the journey of Jordan who many would look on as an underdog.

Many people including Alex Ferguson initially written him for many reasons including the way that he ran from his knees where as the other footballers usually ran from their hips.

He inherited the reins as captain of Liverpool from the highly successful Steven Gerard, (ooh what a pressure).

Despite all he defeated all odds going on to captain both England and Liverpool with great success.

It is a great read even if you are not into football.

[Julia Andersen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nothing groundbreaking and a pretty high-level overview of Henderson’s life - nothing too in the weeds. Still really enjoyed, especially reliving the recent memories through his eyes. Some of the memories just brought chills once again. Also could not stop laughing at the story of Trent’s mum not allowing him to get a tattoo after winning the champions league (despite it being Trent’s idea) or Hendo’s recollection of Virgil first arriving at Anfield looking a million dollars (“even his hair was perfect and I thought to myself, ‘He’s got to be good.’ He just looked the part.”).

[Myrna · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a rather bittersweet read after starting this when Hendo was still at Liverpool. I finished it after he left.

I started supporting this club right before he arrived. He has been a constant, and from the start, I knew he was a perfect fit to the club. He worked hard, he understood the club.

I loved learning more about him and the person behind the captaincy. I will miss him plenty. You'll Never Walk Alone, Hendo.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

my captain, one of my heroes of LFC and what a brilliant book from Hendo himself. i knew much about his playing career but learning how he developed his skills, what happened during his early years at Liverpool and about his family life growing up and now as a father himself. a must read for any football fan, especially of Liverpool and Sunderland football clubs

[G M · Rating 3 out of 5]

A brilliant person with an incredible work ethic. Did incredible work during the pandemic. Enjoyed reading stories about his earlier career and I felt like most of the Liverpool stories are well documented already.
He's had a lot of recent career twists, so it is a shame he brought this book out so early. Not a fan of footballers doing that.

[Jack Youd · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good read and an enjoyable autobiography. I may be biased but it’s one of the most enjoyable I have read and interesting to hear about his inner battles at being a Liverpool captain and player. Great read.

[Andy Hunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very humble and deserves everything he has achieved

I was surprised to read how much he worries about being dropped it sold or not good enough. Some great stories and insight, especially about Saurez swollen ankle and Trends non tattoo. Must read for any football fan

[Reuben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hendo is one of my favourite players and arguably one of the best ever Liverpool captain's so I was looking forward to reading this. It's a great autobiography, a bit muddled with times and a few parts are repeated but it was a very easy read.

[Kelly]

I don't love rating autobiographies. I will just say that if you're looking to get to know Jordan Henderson more from a personal aspect, then this isn't that book. If you're looking for a book about the football career of Jordan Henderson, then go for it.

[Keith L · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read for LFC fans, be good for any young football pro's to read... this is a man who not only proved people wrong but excelled in doing so and was one of the best captains of one of the best clubs in the world

[David Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

bumped this up to the top of my reading list since our skipper has now decided to move on. A fantastic story of resilience and perseverance. I knew most as a Liverpool fan but it was good to get Hendo's personal take on his career at LFC. His presence will be a big miss 😢

[Ellie · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5/5 - listened to on audiobook which always takes me a long time as it’s very much little and often. Fell a bit flat for me didn’t really feel like I learnt much that I didn’t know already and ultimately was just a bit boring

[Henry Stacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

A really good read, all seems a bit hypocritical at times tho with how he’s conducting himself with the Saudi move etc. also comes across as a bit selfish at times in terms of how he acts in the dressing room - but a good read from a pro that made the most out of what he had

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't read a lot of sports biographies, but I did enjoy this. I don't think I'd recommend it to anyone who isn't already a football fan, but as a Liverpool supporter I enjoyed seeing behind the scenes and getting to know Henderson better.

[Stephen O'Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captain, Leader, Legend! A great insight into how hard work, determination and self belief pays off!

[Sarah Burns · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read 📚 not a lot about Hendo personally and quite a bit you already know by being an avid Liverpool fan. Enjoyed it though. Some good player stories.

[Barry Cosgrave · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 really . standard footballer autobiography, interesting if your a liverpool fan .