Henderson: Champions League return is our aim in final 12 games

Despite a poor start to the calendar year, a top-four finish remains firmly in the Reds’ sights and the captain has used his column in today’s official matchday programme to highlight the team’s determination to secure a return to continental competition.

Henderson said in ‘This is Anfield’: “This evening is important because of where we are in terms of the league table and what is at stake with Champions League and European football qualification.

“The players never need reminding about this and there is no doubting the commitment and desire within our dressing room to be involved in it. We know it’s important to the club and to the supporters, but people shouldn’t underestimate how much passion the players have for achieving this.

“I’ve hated Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights this season when other Premier League clubs have had big Euro matches and we’ve had to watch at home on the TV. People have said at times during this season that not playing in Europe is an advantage in the league.

“Well if it is, it’s an advantage I don’t ever want to have again because we want to qualify each and every season. I’m sure the Arsenal players feel exactly the same, wanting to have those big nights, playing against the best and creating big moments and memories.

“No-one here needs reminding of how important it is to Liverpool, and for these remaining 12 matches we have to play with that focus of trying to secure European football for the club next season.”

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