Liverpool Captain Jordan Henderson: We’re moving in the right direction – now let’s kick on

Liverpool are determined to build on encouraging form going forward in the final weeks of the season, said Jordan Henderson.

The Reds head to Anfield on Sunday’s meeting with Tottenham Hotspur who have won their last three Premier League games while unbeaten in five games in the division.

But Henderson insists no one in the dressing room gets carried away as they strive to rediscover the level of consistency that has been their hallmark in recent years.

“What pleased me the most was how we handled it as a team, especially after a goal against a team that always tests their opponents,” wrote the captain in Wednesday’s win against West Ham United in its official program for the day.

“The crew chief was particularly pleased with the way we responded to that setback and so were we. This is a trait that has greatly underpinned our success in previous seasons and I think if you want to achieve anything in football it has to be an essential part of your arsenal because you never get everything your way.

“Also, the more you do it, the more you are able to do it, because it builds trust and the belief that even if you get caught by a fool, it doesn’t mean you have to go on and lose the fight.

“Wednesday evening we dusted off and set off again, our reaction gave us as much satisfaction as the result that supported it.

“Importantly it has also allowed us to maintain our recently improved form, which goes back a little further than the three consecutive wins we had, as we also put in a really strong performance after being under by a few goals against Arsenal A few weeks ago.

“I make no apologies for insisting on consistency, because this is something we have to achieve if we are to keep improving. It is certainly good to see that we have taken good steps in this direction, but now is not the time to take advantage of the moment.

“We have to start from here, hopefully starting with the game again sounds t Tottenham.”

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Liverpool could miss out on a Champions League place next season, but the Reds must heed the words of an Anfield ‘Boot Room’ member and secure European football one way or another.

Liverpool Football Club without European football is like a banquet without wine. Those were the words of former Liverpool manager and Anfield ‘Boot Room’ member Roy Evans.

Looking back on the next few years, the last five years under Jürgen Klopp will likely be seen alongside the glory days of the 1970s and 1980s, with the Reds enjoying success both domestically and in Europe, even going back to being world champions . in 2019. There is no doubt, however, that this season has been a bit of a disappointment for the German coach’s men, especially considering the high standards they have set themselves in recent years. That said, while no further trophies will be added to Anfield’s trophy cabinet during the remaining weeks of this season, there is still plenty to play for in the remaining six games of this Premier League season. With both Newcastle United and Manchester United ever closer to qualifying for next year’s Champions League, it’s clear that achieving a Europa League place must now be the goal.

Whether or not Champions League football is still viable for Liverpool this season, there are plenty of practical and emotional reasons why securing European football should be of paramount importance to the Reds. For starters, the Reds squad is set to play up to three times a week, with the benefits of using the Europa League group stage, for example, as a place to bleed youngsters and limit players’ playing time also to the advantage of hand retention. .

Furthermore, the financial benefits of participating in the Europa League should not be overlooked either. While the competition is not as lucrative as the Champions League, there is income to be gained by going deep into the round of 16. Furthermore, if the Reds manage to win the league next year, it would be another chance to secure a place in Europe’s top flight.

We mustn’t overlook the romantic element of being in Europe, which is so important for the fans as well. An opportunity to potentially add to the club’s illustrious European history should go unnoticed, with memorable runs in the league often providing a stepping stone to greater success further down the line, as was the case with the Reds’ UEFA Cup victories in 1976 . and 2001, as well as a run to the Europa League final in Klopp’s first season.

The good news is that things are starting to look up in terms of qualification, with an additional Europa League spot at the end of May set to come from an unlikely source. Having reached the FA Cup final against city rivals Manchester City, Manchester United will earn them a place in the Europa League next year. However, if they qualify for Europe’s elite competition, as expected, the Europa League spot will go to the side that finish sixth in the Premier League this season.

Additionally, should the above scenario materialize, the Europa Conference League place the Red Devils won by winning the Carabao Cup earlier this season would then go to the side who occupy seventh place in the Premier League. . With Liverpool seventh in the table, it’s more than likely to guarantee a European spot next season – should Newcastle United and Manchester United see the season finish in the top four. However, given the inconsistencies in Klopp’s squad this season, it is uncertain whether Liverpool will remain seventh in the table, with the upcoming game against Tottenham potentially a major hurdle for the Reds. The fact that the Merseysiders will play three of their remaining six home games of the season will in many ways be a huge asset in their quest for European football.

As Harry Kane himself said this week ahead of his team’s trip to Anfield, Liverpool’s ground is “a very difficult place”. The Spurs talisman was all too aware of what could weigh on the clash between the Premier League’s fifth and seventh-placed sides, adding: “They’re in a similar position to fight for the places we’re looking for. let’s fight, so much roll over it. It’s up to us to recover and show the character we showed in the second half and to be brave at Anfield.

Looking at the contrast between Liverpool’s home and away form, there is no doubt that Anfield seem to have a scare factor for opposing teams. Even amid this season’s troubles, the Reds would sit fourth in the table if only home results were taken into account – they would sit ninth away.

It’s clear that Anfield is a daunting place even for players of the England captain’s experience and quality, and that ‘X-Factor’ could well give the Reds a significant advantage in the race for Europe. The crowd will no doubt be with Klopp’s players in the remaining four home games of the season, and now they have to harness that energy to finish the season on a high.