JURGEN KLOPP reckons Jordan Henderson is the most underrated midfielder in the Premier League.
The Liverpool skipper is the player Sir Alex Ferguson refused to sign after deciding he could not even run properly.
But on Sunday Henderson, 26, will get the chance to prove his boss at Anfield correct when he makes a much-needed return to a Reds side in the midst of a mini-slump.
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Hendo will be aiming to reignite their title charge at the home of their fiercest rivals — and in front of a watching Fergie as well.
Six years ago Manchester United’s legendary manager kept having the then Sunderland rookie’s name put to him as an ideal transfer target.
Fergie snubbed the opportunity as he thought Henderson’s upright gait would be a major problem in later years.
It is an issue which has been laughed off by Klopp, previous Kop boss Brendan Rodgers and even the player himself.
And the stats certainly back up his importance to the Anfield side, who have hit the buffers since he limped off with a heel injury against Manchester City on New Year’s Eve.
In his absence Liverpool managed only draws against Sunderland and Plymouth, and on Tuesday woefully lacked a leader in the EFL Cup semi-final, first-leg defeat at Southampton.
Henderson’s injury was not to the problem right foot which dogged him last season.
And he will lead the side into tomorrow’s Old Trafford show-stopper still far from 100 per cent.
In Klopp’s view, that is one of the qualities which have steadily turned him into arguably the most important cog in his Red machine.
The German said: “He adapted unbelievably well to the position, so for us he is very important. Maybe we relied too much on him.
“I love his attitude — it is outstanding. And if he is available for the weekend, it is only because of his attitude.
“I don’t think a lot of players would be available for this. There will still be pain but if anyone can cope with this, it is him. For the rest it might be difficult.”
Shrugging off criticism has certainly become second nature to Henderson in his 5½ years on Merseyside.
His performance at Burnley in August was fingered as one of the key reasons for their shock loss.
Klopp, though, had none of it then and is not about to change now.
He added: “After Burnley everybody told me we needed a new No 6 but now Henderson is the most underrated midfielder in England.
“If there is not enough credit for him, then do it. He cannot have any more credit in my eyes.”
As well as Henderson’s return, centre-half Joel Matip is pushing for a start after six weeks on the sidelines with ankle ligament damage.
The Cameroon defender has been in full training again, while Philippe Coutinho, out for six weeks with the same problem, returned from the bench at Southampton.
Beating United would not only be a huge statement that Liverpool are in the thick of the title battle, it would also send them eight points clear of their rivals.
Yet Klopp will not give a second glance to what a loss would mean to Jose Mourinho and Co.
While the whole nation licks their lips at one of the season’s great showdowns, the Kop chief insists there is still too far to go for it to bear a massive relevance on the outcome in May.
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He said: “The last thing I think about is if they can come back and overhaul us. I don’t care about that, actually.
“It would be a huge gap, of course, but they were already a few points behind a few teams at the top.
“And the season is too long, so this game does not decide a lot, actually.
“The whole of December and January is outstandingly intense for us, which we knew already.
“But if these two months decide the whole season, then what were you doing the rest of the season?
“There is still a lot to be done and a lot of things to fix.”
Leaving United with three points would be a good starting point.
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