This article is part of Football FanCast's Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers...

Former Manchester City defender Micah Richards has told BBC Radio 5 Live that Jordan Henderson is "world-class".

What did he say?

The 31-year-old former England international retired earlier this year and has since made the foray into the world of punditry.

On Monday, he was speaking about the Liverpool captain, and he said: "You’d argue Henderson’s world-class, because of what he’s done and consistency.

"He’s won a European Cup, he’s been consistent over the last three or four years. Yes, it really is [hard to write off a Champions League-winning captain]. You know what, I’m going to go with that statement, I’m going to say Henderson is world-class and a lot of the work that he does goes unnoticed because he’s not getting ten assists a season or scoring ten goals a season.

"I was referring to on the field but off the field as well. I’ve played with Henderson and he’s just an honest guy who would run through brick walls for you, he’s willing to improve, he wants the team to be at its best.

"When Liverpool first signed him a lot of people were raising their eyebrows but now I think we have to start giving him the credit that he’s due."

World-class captain

To say that the 29-year-old is a world-class player is a huge statement. When you think of the best midfielders in the world, the first names that come to mind are the likes of Kevin de Bruyne, Toni Kroos and Sergio Busquets. Is Henderson in their category, or even close to it? Based on his skill-set and technical ability, you would have to argue he isn't.

However, as a captain and all-round component of a trophy-chasing squad, it's hard to disagree.

Following Steven Gerrard's departure in 2015, the former Sunderland midfielder has taken the armband and has made it his own. Since he stepped into the role, the Reds have finished in the Champions League spots in three out of four seasons, and have reached the final of that European competition on two occasions. Last year, Henderson lifted the trophy to join the select group of Liverpool captains to do so.

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This year, they lead the way in the Premier League and already have an eight-point lead over second-placed Leicester City and third-placed Chelsea. Manchester City are a further point back in fourth. After 30 years of hurt, the Anfield outfit could finally end their league drought, and Henderson will be the man on the podium to hold the cup aloft if they do prevail.

Parts of the fanbase have criticised the midfielder for his ability, but his leadership is his biggest strength. Centre-back Virgil van Dijk, himself a skipper with the Netherlands' national team, has previously stated that he believes Henderson is a "great captain", whilst talkSPORT journalist Adrian Durham said that he thinks the 55-time England international is a better captain and leader than Steven Gerrard.

Again, a big statement, but unlike a lot of quotes from that particular radio station, they certainly make for an interesting debate.

Is he a world-class player? No. But a world-class captain? Undoubtedly. In that respect, at least, it is about time Henderson receives the credit he deserves.