Rangers boss Steven Gerrard isn't surprised to see Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson silencing his critics.
Henderson put in an assured display at the base of the midfield as England set their World Cup campaign up and running with a 2-1 victory over Tunisia on Monday evening.
"It's no surprise to me," legendary former Reds skipper Gerrard told BBC Radio 5 live.
“He's had his criticism over the years, Jordan, but obviously I've worked very closely with him and not only is he a fabulous player, he's a great kid as well.
“[He's] Someone who works so hard at his game, stays behind all the time after training, working on every single department of his game.
“He's always in the gym, he lives his life for the game, so it's great to see him doing so well and I think he's going to keep growing and growing and become a top player."
Gerrard believes his qualities are perfectly suited to the role Jurgen Klopp and Gareth Southgate ask him to perform.
“I think his passing is one of his main strengths," Gerrard said.
“I think with Jordan, when he's at Liverpool with the armband, people expect him to go and get 15, 20 goals a season [but] he's not that type of player.
“He's a workhorse in the middle of the park, he does a lot of unnoticed work, he's a grafter in there, and at the same time he uses the ball very, very well.
“So if you judge Jordan Henderson on them jobs, what he's asked to do, he does a fantastic job in my opinion."