Henderson: Each LFC-United game is special in its own way
Jordan Henderson is set to line up for the 11th time against Manchester United as a Liverpool player this afternoon – but he insists it's a contest that doesn't lose any of its uniqueness.
The Reds take on Louis van Gaal’s side aiming to go level on points with them in the Barclays Premier League table and the captain has been eager to stress the importance of the outcome in the build-up.
Henderson’s first experience of the north-west derby came as a substitute in a 1-1 home draw back in October 2011.
He told Liverpoolfc.com: “Each one is different and each one is special in its own way. Things change in football and every game is different, so it might be the 11th time – but it still feels like the first.
“It’s another big game for us, another massive game, but a good opportunity for us to get back to winning ways and move further up the table. Everybody will be looking forward to it.
“At the moment, every game is huge for us. We need to win as many as we can. We’re a little bit disappointed we didn’t get three points in midweek, but we kept going and we need to do the same on Sunday.”
A victory for Jürgen Klopp’s side today will take them level on points with United in the Premier League table.
Henderson added: “Every point is crucial. If we can get a run of winning games together and push ourselves further up the table, I think that can benefit us in terms of confidence and in terms of playing fluently, which sometimes I think we need to improve on.
“The last few games have been much better, and going forward – especially against Arsenal – we were very good and we just need to keep that going.”
While Henderson has past experience of skippering Liverpool against their old rivals, this afternoon’s contest will be the first one he goes into as the club’s full-time captain.
Nevertheless, the 25-year-old insists it’ll be business as usual.
“It’s the same for me,” said Henderson. “I’ll just do what I normally do, which is trying to help the team as best I can and focus on it like it’s any other game.
“I think a few of us will say a few things [in the dressing room before the game], but that’s the same every game, making sure everyone is ready and focused on the job in hand and what we need to do. It’s nothing too major, it’s more about what we want to try to do when we go out onto the pitch.”