Finally Jordan Henderson is getting the praise he deserves - Jurgen Klopp

The Liverpool skipper had been a doubt for the game after initially picking up a hamstring problem in the quarter-final win over Sweden, but insists that he was fine to play against Croatia.

"I was just a little bit tight before the game, so towards the last 20 minutes I just overstretched and I felt it a little bit", Henderson told United Kingdom newspapers. My body is not too bad.

Those are the words of former Liverpool and England team-mate Steven Gerrard, who says that a major success may help Henderson to have his talents more widely recognised.

The Liverpool FC midfielder is now on duty with his national team in Russian Federation as he bids to try and help the Three Lions win the World Cup for the first time since 1966.

But manager Southgate has been more cautious before giving Henderson the all clear, admitting that injuries within the squad still need to be assessed before the semi final match at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.

Former Sussex schooolboy suffers World Cup semi-final heartbreak
Gareth Southgate's side face Croatia in the semi-finals on Wednesday at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow. It is a lot easier to be a player in these games than it is to be a fan, though.

"All the celebrations and the songs they're singing back home, it inspires us as players to be able to sort of bring the nation together and put smiles on people's faces".

England coach Gareth Southgate said: "Hendo was feeling tightness in his hamstring, which was why we made the change".

"I think that's the biggest thing so far to come out of it and we just want to continue doing everybody proud".

Henderson really started coming into his own in the second half of the season for Liverpool and helped them get into the final of the Champions League, after his performances in Russian Federation he's really cementing himself as a top central midfielder. "Some of the through balls the other night were exceptional".