ReactionJordan Henderson reflects on Villa draw and an emotional afternoon at Anfield
Jordan Henderson hailed his four departing teammates while reviewing Liverpool's 1-1 draw with Aston Villa.
The Reds’ seven-game winning run in the Premier League was brought to an end in their final home match of the season on Saturday.
Roberto Firmino, on the occasion of his last Anfield appearance for the club, scored an 89th-minute equaliser to ensure defeat was avoided on an afternoon that featured emotional farewells for the No.9, Naby Keita, James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Read Liverpoolfc.com’s post-match interview with Henderson below.
Inside Anfield: Liverpool 1-1 Aston Villa
On whether it was ultimately a frustrating afternoon…
Yeah, it was a little bit. First half we didn’t play particularly well, some good moments, especially towards the end of the first half, but overall we weren’t at it first half. But second half I thought we gave them a lot of problems, we just couldn’t find the breakthrough – but then fortunately Bobby comes up with an equaliser and from then on we looked like we were going to try to push to win. But we just couldn’t find the winner.
On Firmino producing a final big moment at Anfield…
I think it’s special anyway for him, to come on and get a goal, to score like that. For him it’ll be really special and one day that he’ll never forget. But it sums him up really, he’s been incredible ever since he’s been here and I’m delighted that he got on the scoresheet.
On whether he has ever known a player as popular as Firmino and what makes him so special…
Not really! I think just everything about him [makes him special] really. As a person he is so humble and gets on with all the lads, he’s always smiling and bringing positive energy to the dressing room, and then when he’s on the pitch the quality that he’s got is incredible really. Everybody loves him: teammates, coaching staff, fans, and I think even other fans around the country will love him as well. So it’s really sad to see him and the other lads go.
On saying goodbye to more close teammates and friends…
Yeah, they are quite close to me and it was really difficult for me to stand and watch them come through the guard of honour and receive the reception they did. So of course I’m going to miss them and the rest of the lads will, so it’s pretty emotional for me as well.
On Milner, Keita and Oxlade-Chamberlain…
I think the level of his [Milner’s] performance is still really high, he came on and made such a difference for us – same as Bobby. We’ve just got to wish them the best of luck wherever they are going next because whatever clubs they do choose they are getting two amazing players.
But the other two lads as well, Ox and Naby, over the last couple of years have had some bad injuries and have struggled to find rhythm. But previous to that we can’t forget their contribution to this football club and the success that this football club has had over the last five or six years since the gaffer came. They were a huge part of that and we can’t forget that so it’s sad to see them go as well.