Henderson: Double figures is possible
Jordan Henderson has pledged to provide a regular goal threat for Liverpool as he targets double figures for the season after opening his account for 2014-15 with the winner against West Bromwich Albion earlier this month.
The 24-year-old midfielder settled the contest in the Reds' favour on their last outing, drilling low into the far corner from the right edge of Baggies territory to ensure Brendan Rodgers' side could celebrate a welcome victory at Anfield.
It was the first of the campaign for the vice-captain, who registered his name on the scoresheet five and six times respectively in the previous two years, adding a new attacking impetus to his already well-balanced game.
Henderson is aiming significantly higher now, though, and when the question of reaching the 10 mark in front of goal was raised in an interview with Liverpoolfc.com at Melwood, his appetite for finding the target was obvious.
"I think it is achievable," was the No.14's confident response, heralding a measured explanation of how it might happen. "I still think I need to improve in that area, which I've said many times before.
"I need to keep getting better so I continue to work on that. I need to keep getting in the right areas to score goals. Hopefully I can improve on last season and get into double figures.
"In the conversations I've had with the manager, he always wants me to get forward - whatever position I play in - and try to be a threat on goal. I need to keep doing that, it doesn't matter from what position."
It was a fellow midfielder that laid the foundation for the win over West Brom on October 4, with Henderson the creator for Adam Lallana to motor into the penalty area and swipe a perfect finish into the Anfield Road end net.
The Englishman is equally content to be the man offering assistance en route to a Liverpool goal or the person who provides the crucial final flourish - if either helps to guide the Reds to three points.
"Both are very good for me," he reflected. "It's good to assist and give other people a chance to score, and obviously it's nice to score yourself as well.
"Either or for me, as long as the team are doing well and winning. As a midfielder, you want to be scoring goals and contributing, whether that's assists or goals.
"We've got to take that extra responsibility and make sure we're doing that on a weekly basis. Hopefully I can keep improving in that area and keep contributing to the team."