Jordan Henderson does not like looking back but, just this once, he is happy and willing to make an exception.
Liverpool’s captain will play his 50th game for England on Monday night. He is not sentimental, by any means, but talk to him about the events of November 17, 2010 and it quickly becomes evident how much that date means to him.
He remembers the shock about receiving a phone call from the FA, to say he had been selected. Frank Lampard, the then Chelsea midfielder, had been injured and Fabio Capello wanted to look at the young novice from Sunderland.
Jordan Henderson speaks to the media during a press conference in Podgorica on Sunday
Then came the pride of walking out at Wembley. He started alongside Gareth Barry and Steven Gerrard and loved every second, even though he picked up a booking. He didn’t give a moment’s thought to swapping his shirt, instead he gave it to his mum, Liz, and dad, Brian.
All Henderson had wanted to do from childhood was play for England but the realisation of a dream did not prevent him learning a lesson. The privilege of playing international football can be taken away in a flash and the fear of being a one cap wonder has driven him ever since.
‘I can remember there were a lot of experienced and top players in the team and the squad,’ said Henderson. ‘I was delighted to make my debut but I came off thinking I've got a long way to go if I want to stay at this level.
‘It gave me a taste for it, to want to improve and get better, to make sure I could go back and perform regularly for England. If I play, it will be nice to get to 50 caps but it is not something I will think about now. Maybe I will do it at the end of my career.’
Henderson (right) shares a joke with Callum Wilson during Sunday's training session
But you can be sure he will be thinking about what he needs to do to remain part of this group. Gareth Southgate is a firm fan of the 28-year-old and made a point of saying his qualities have been “underappreciated, as he is such an important player.”
Jordan Henderson is set to become the 59th player to reach 50 England caps should he feature on Monday night.
If he does not score, he will become only the seventh outfield player to get to 50 caps without finding the net.
The other six are Ray Wilson, Des Walker, Gary Neville, Phil Neville, Rio Ferdinand
Henderson, though, often finds himself central to debates about his selection before big Liverpool games and the situation threatens to be the same England now that
