'We can't wait to get going in Champions League again'

The Reds were beaten by Real Madrid in last season’s final in Kiev, but only after a thrilling journey to the showpiece in which they scored 47 goals in 15 games.

Along the way, there were some results and occasions that will go into Anfield folklore, too – and Henderson has explained why he and his teammates can’t wait to get going in the competition.

He wrote in his column for ‘This is Anfield’: “It’s less than four months since our last game in the Champions League and in all honesty tonight’s fixture against PSG could not have come around quickly enough.

“I know because of the way we lost the final to Real Madrid we now have some painful memories of this competition, but they are far, far outnumbered by the special ones and that is why the players can’t wait to get going in Europe again. And what better opponent than PSG? They are a team of real quality and pedigree with players that any football fan wants to see.

“When the group stages are just getting going, everything can sometimes be a bit low-key but that won’t be the case on this occasion. Anfield will be at its best and we need to be as a team as well, because we know if we aren’t at that level this game will be even more difficult.

“I know there has been a lot of talk about whether or not we should prioritise competitions and I’ve got no interest in getting involved in those kind of debates, but what I will say is that all we can do is take every game as it comes. I know it’s a cliché and it might sound boring, but what else could we do? When you’re fortunate enough to play for a club like Liverpool you have a duty to try to win every game you play. The name of the competition doesn’t matter; the only objective every time you step onto the pitch is to do whatever it takes to earn a victory.

“Since the start of this season we have done incredibly well to win all five of our Premier League games, overcoming some difficult obstacles on the way, but tonight brings a different challenge and it is one that I know all of the players are looking forward to. Again, it is not about us targeting any particular trophy but it is vital for this club that not only are we in Europe, but that we establish ourselves as a major force. The only way you can do that of course is by being in the Champions League regularly and by being the kind of team that no one wants to come up against.

“Getting to the final last season was a great achievement, even though it didn’t go the way we wanted it to in the end, but what happened en route showed that we can hold our own at this level. Now we have to do it all again.

“So while we welcome PSG – as a team which has our total respect – to Anfield we do so with a determination to show our best and to remind Europe that what happened in 2017-18 was not a flash in the pan.”

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