Jordan Henderson: We want to show our appreciation today

The Reds, who will secure a return to next season’s Champions League with victory over Brighton & Hove Albion, will embark on the traditional end-of-season lap-of-honour at the end of the contest.

And Henderson wrote in ‘This is Anfield’: “Whatever happens today and whatever happens in Kiev in a fortnight’s time, I think at full-time it will be massively important for us, as a team, to show our appreciation to the supporters for helping make this such an important campaign.

“As players we know we’ve made big steps forward as a club and that the experiences we’ve had are the beginning of an era and not just a one-season wonder. The belief we have in each other, coupled with the fact there is still so much more potential to nurture within the squad, means we can look at this season as being part of a journey and not the end of it. We could see last season that big progress was being made and we’ve definitely taken it on another step this time around.

“Of course, starting with today, the key now is to finish the job and ‘get over the line’. We know that’s our responsibility, but we also know we’re good enough as a group to make sure we can keep coming back and keep challenging in the big competitions.

“A lot of that belief has come because of the relationship with the supporters and as much as other people in the game might roll their eyes at the suggestion, there is something special about this club when the players and fans come together. It’s hard to explain, but it’s real and it’s given us extra energy and drive at times when we’ve been pushed to the limit.

“The second half of the season hasn’t been an easy ride by any means, because as a squad we have been stretched. Joe Gomez became the latest player to have his season ended early through injury this week and a lot of the other players have asked that his contribution be specifically mentioned to symbolise what this team is all about. Joe’s ankle hasn’t been right for a while, but he put the team first by making himself available to play, even though from a personal perspective it was a risk. The reason we have had so many great and memorable moments this season is because of the attitude of people like Joe. Team comes first and the individual comes second – be willing to sacrifice yourself for the group.

“This is an attitude that is here to stay in our dressing-room and it’s another reason why we going to have good moments and memories in the coming seasons and not just this one.

“Finally, on behalf of all the players, I would like to say thank you to the supporters for yet again making a massive investment in us as a team – both financially and emotionally during the season. We know you make sacrifices to follow us. We knew in Porto getting home took some of you days, rather than hours. In Rome it was far from stress-free before and after the game. And we are acutely aware that getting to and from Kiev will be difficult and expensive.

“These are just a couple of examples but, more than ever, we appreciate that following a football club is a big commitment and one in which we as players take huge benefits from. Hopefully today and at the end of the season we will have repaid that in the best way we can – by getting results that make you happy and proud to support Liverpool Football Club.”

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