'It showed we can grind out results'
Jordan Henderson believes Liverpool demonstrated a huge amount of resilience as they dug deep to claim a 2-0 win over Hull City at Anfield on New Year's Day.
It was the Reds' seventh successive victory in L4, but the game was a gruelling one, settled ultimately by strikes from Daniel Agger and Luis Suarez.
Brendan Rodgers' men have made a habit of sweeping opposition aside on home turf in recent months; however, they were forced to battle Steve Bruce's charges from the first whistle.
Henderson epitomised their fighting spirit, barking orders at his teammates and hurtling around the field in an attempt to stifle the opposition.
When Luis Suarez swerved home a sensational free-kick in the 50th minute, he was the first to celebrate with the Uruguayan, before turning to the Kop to salute a crucial strike.
"It was important to get the year off to a good start," Henderson told the Liverpool Echo.
"Maybe we didn't play as well as we have done in certain games when we have won by four or five, but we showed we can grind a result out when we're not at our best.
"We could have had more goals. I should have scored with the chance I had when I dragged it wide.
"And their 'keeper made a couple of good saves from Philippe [Coutinho] but the most important thing was getting the three points and we're delighted with the result.
"Our aim is to make Anfield a fortress - to make it really difficult for teams when they come here. We've been doing that and hopefully we can keep doing that and pick up points away too."
The win propelled Liverpool back into the top four and helped banish memories of back-to-back defeats at the hands of Manchester City and Chelsea over the festive period.
For Henderson, it was a fourth 90-minute appearance in the space of 11 days - but the England international insists medical staff at Melwood have helped the players cope through a rigorous schedule.
"There have been plenty of massages and ice baths to help ensure when the next game comes along you feel 100 per cent," said Henderson.
"This period hasn't been too bad for us but it could have been a little bit better. I think we can't be too disheartened with the performances against Man City and Chelsea. I felt we played well and definitely deserved something out of both games.
"I thought we matched them, if not were better than them, in the two games. We just didn't get the bit of luck that we deserved.
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"We had to forget about all that and put things right against Hull. It was very important to get back to winning ways after those two defeats.
"We're back in the top four and I definitely believe we can stay there. Now we've got to keep it going and try to kick on for the rest of the season."
Henderson will now shift his focus to Oldham and the FA Cup third-round at Anfield on Sunday.
The midfielder played the full game when the two sides met in the tournament last year - and he was powerless to prevent Rodgers' side from slipping to a shock 3-2 elimination.
"It's an important game as we want to have a good cup run," he said. "I'm sure everyone will want to play against Oldham but it's up to the manager to decide who he puts out on Sunday.
"They knocked us out last year so we know what to expect. It will be a tough game but it's a competition we want to do well in. We will recover well and look forward to it. We want to get another win."