Liverpool skipper issues message of support for West Ham star
Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson has issued a message of support for West Ham’s Ukrainian winger Andriy Yarmolenko amid the ongoing crisis in his homeland.
Following the invasion of Ukraine by Russia last week, Yarmolenko was granted compassionate leave by the club.
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He has since returned to training but Hammers boss David Moyes has revealed he will not make the trip to Anfield go take on Liverpool on Saturday evening.
However, Reds skipper Henderson has admitted he would have love to have seen the winger involved, before saying that the whole of Liverpool FC stands with the West Ham man.
Speaking in his programme notes, Henderson said: “As with ourselves, it goes without saying that whoever is named on West Ham’s teamsheet this evening will be a very good footballer.
“It’s definitely not for me to get involved in who David Moyes does or doesn’t pick but, like everyone in football, I would love to see Andriy Yarmolenko involved.
“I’m well aware that Andriy was given compassionate leave by his club after the invasion of his homeland, Ukraine, started and he only returned to training at the start of this week. So it could be that this fixture comes too soon for him, but I would like nothing better than to see him back in action at Anfield.
“I’ve seen how well David Moyes has handled this particular situation and it hasn’t surprised me one bit because it’s been clear for many years that he is a top manager and a brilliant man-manager.
“I think sometimes people in football aren’t given enough credit for this so hopefully David will be given the recognition he deserves for the compassion and understanding he has shown one of his players during what is a uniquely difficult time for him.
“If Andriy is involved I have no doubt that our crowd will show solidarity with him. If he’s not yet ready then, as club captain, I would like to use these notes to let him know that everyone at Liverpool FC stands with him.
“Today is a day when the Premier League as a whole will demonstrate its support for Ukraine and as a club we are more than happy to play our part in that.”
