'Why I couldn't believe Istanbul'

The summer recruit from Sunderland was just 14 years of age when the Reds defied all odds to stage the comeback of all comebacks against AC Milan in the 2005 Champions League final.

Nevertheless, the magnitude of what unfolded on the Henderson's television screen that night was not lost upon him.

"I was just in the house with some friends watching the final," he recalls during a chat with Liverpoolfc.tv at Melwood ahead of our return to Istanbul today to face Galatasaray. "It's one of the best games I've ever seen.

"It was a brilliant game to watch. There were a lot of ups and downs for the fans, but as a spectator it was a fantastic game and I was over the moon when Liverpool won it in the end.

"I couldn't believe what I was seeing. It just shows with team spirit and togetherness what you can achieve."

Click the image below to watch our chat with Jordan

Six years have passed since Liverpool - and the thousands of travelling Kopites - rocked the Ataturk Stadium to its core and triumphantly carried old Big Ears back to Merseyside for a fifth time.

During which time, Henderson went from a promising academy starlet to a fully fledged Premier League star, and England international, after 79 appearances and five goals for hometown club Sunderland.

The 21-year-old was one of the standout performers in the top flight last term, leading to him being crowned the Black Cats' Young Player of the Season, and Liverpool wasted little time in moving to secure his services from the Stadium of Light in early June.

As a result of England's participation in the U21 European Championships, Henderson did not begin training with the Reds until last week - but Saturday's pre-season clash with Hull City saw him join fellow new boys Stewart Downing and Alexander Doni in making his bow for Kenny Dalglish's men.

The midfielder will be aiming to notch his second appearance for the Reds when they depart John Lennon Airport for Turkey later today ahead of Thursday night's glamour friendly at the Turk Telekom Arena.

"I'm looking forward to Galatasaray," said Henderson. "It will be a great game. It'll be tough, but a good match for us to prepare for the start of the season by working on a few things, gelling as a team and getting a little bit more used to each other.

"I enjoyed the break. It was good to have a little rest, but as soon as it was over I was chomping at the bit to get involved and start training again.

"Training is pretty tough, but I suppose it'll be tough in pre-season wherever you go. I've enjoyed it, though, and it's been good. We've had some good sessions and I just want to carry on doing what we've been doing.

"It was good to get out there and start playing again at Hull, especially with being new to the club. Although there was disappointment at the result, I think we can take a few positives from the game and learn from it.

"I've only been back in training for a week or two, so I'm just trying to get my fitness levels as high as possible. I'm looking forward to the season and can't wait for it to get underway."

It was just shy of seven weeks ago when Henderson inked his long-term Anfield deal.

Our new No.14 is already adjusting quickly to life away from the field in Liverpool - and he's hoping to make a similarly seamless transition on the pitch when the campaign gets up and running next month.

"I think it was more excitement than nerves to be honest," he recalled when quizzed about his feelings prior to putting his signature on a Reds contract. "Liverpool is a massive club and I'm grateful to be part of it.

"It probably hasn't sunk in properly yet, but I'll keep working hard, keep doing the things I was doing at Sunderland and hopefully I can improve.

"I'm settling in fine. The lads have been brilliant in welcoming me to the club.

"I'm living in an apartment at the minute and it's very nice. I've been out in the city a couple of times for meals - it seems like a lovely city and the people are brilliant as well."

Upon signing for Liverpool, Henderson spoke in glowing terms about his dealings with Kenny Dalglish as the transfer neared completion.

Having now worked closely under his tutelage on the training pitch, his admiration for the iconic Scot is continuing to rise.

"Everyone knows what he is like - he is a brilliant manager and just as brilliant as a person," said Henderson. "He's been great with me and with everyone, and he is someone that you look up to.

"The manager is one of the best managers around and he can help me with my own career and with the rest of the lads as well. I think that's great for everyone and I'm looking forward to working with him and everybody else."

Indeed, he has plenty of reason to be looking forward - not least the fact his Barclays Premier League debut could come against his former side, Sunderland, thanks to a quirk of the fixture computer.

Henderson, though, offers a philosophical response to questions about the prospect of making his Liverpool bow against his former colleagues.

"I was with the U21s at the time (the fixtures were announced) and some of the lads had a bit of banter about it," he says with a smile. "But that happens in football.

"It's a massive game - the best game of the season. Obviously it's against Sunderland, which is even more exciting for me. I'm looking forward to it."

He adds: "There are big expectations and demands (here), but that comes with football - you're going to get that wherever you go and it's about how you deal with it.

"I'm looking forward to the challenge. I'll just keep working as hard as I possibly can and hopefully I can put some good performances in for Liverpool."