Jordan Henderson Proving He Has Fight to Tunnel Liverpool to Success

Liverpool vice-captain Jordan Henderson was reportedly involved in a tunnel "bust-up" with Chelsea forward Diego Costa following their sides' 1-1 draw in the League Cup semi-final first leg at Anfield on Tuesday night.

The Guardian's Andy Hunter writes that the two "came to blows," but Hunter later said no punches were thrown. The same story is reported by all the English newspapers on Thursday.

"The Liverpool midfielder had to be separated from the Chelsea striker by a member of his club’s backroom staff after the pair squared up following Tuesday’s first leg," Hunter explained. "No punches were thrown by Costa or Henderson but they pushed each other and were engaged in a furious argument."

The incident came after the two were seen squaring up to each other during the game, with Henderson visibly pointing down the tunnel, presumably showing Costa where they would settle their conflict.

Heated exchanges in the tunnel after a match are no stranger to football—or even beforehand in the case of Patrick Vieira and Roy Keane—but Henderson's altercation with Costa will be received well by Liverpool supporters.

Such fighting spirit, literally, is what Liverpool need more of in their youthful squad as they seek to challenge for honours. That Henderson is showing such desire and commitment can only be a positive.

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This was not uncontrolled violence on the pitch; this was a show of leadership and act of not being bullied by a player who loves to bully his opponents.

Costa is a snidey player, often leaning a little on a defender or catching a trailing arm. He pulls no punches on the pitch, admittedly not too dissimilar to how Luis Suarez plays.

Since Suarez's departure in the summer, Liverpool have lost that edge to their side, and every successful side needs that edge—that grit, gamesmanship and willingness to play on the edge to get the most from you and your teammates.

Having someone on the pitch who is willing to stand up and be counted drives on the players around him and in turn gets the crowd involved, helping the team overall.

Brendan Rodgers has assembled a young, technical squad, but if these players are to grow and become successful, competing for trophies and titles, they must collectively and individually show they can do the dirtier side of the game and win their challenges.

That was one pleasing part of the performance on Tuesday night for Liverpool. Players won their individual battles, and nobody shirked the physical side of the game, epitomised by Henderson.

Alongside Henderson, Lucas Leiva was dominant in the tackle, while Lazar Markovic showed a surprising willingness to get involved and take on Costa when the time was right, seemingly revelling in the role at times.

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With Steven Gerrard set to depart the club this summer, Henderson will need to lead this group of players, with the former Sunderland midfielder expected to take on the captaincy permanently this summer.

That's something Rodgers was asked about at his pre-match press conference on Thursday ahead of the FA Cup tie with Bolton this weekend.

"You see his [Henderson's] leadership qualities on and off the field," praised Rodgers (per the Press Association, via This Is Anfield). "He will protect the team and his colleagues and he is a wonderful ambassador for the club."

That protection of his teammates is something Raheem Sterling previously spoke of about Gerrard. In an interview in 2013, Sterling said:

"

He has been brilliant for me. He's always looking after me, always checking to see if I'm alright. I've noticed as well that if anyone touches me on the pitch, he'll always get them straight back with a tackle.

He's always looking after me, on the pitch, off the pitch.

"

Sterling also noted how Gerrard "looked after me when I first joined the club," something many new signings have commented on when joining Liverpool in recent years. Gerrard's professional attitude means he's always the leader around the training ground and welcoming new players, making them feel at home.

Such duties will now be the job of Henderson, and the 24-year-old is starting to show signs he is capable of filling the roles both on and off the pitch.