‘I’ll be better than before’
JORDAN Henderson admits Liverpool have to learn lessons from their Champions League letdown against Sevilla to avoid problems later in their campaign.
After conceding in the fifth minute, Jurgen Klopp’s side bounced back to lead 2-1 only for a lapse in concentration to allow the visitors to equalise 18 minutes from time.
“We’re disappointed with the result in the end. We think we’ve done enough to win the game,” said Liverpool captain Henderson.
“The performance level was good, we reacted well from the weekend defeat at Manchester City and then, of course, we’ve gone a goal down. There are a lot of good things but we’re disappointed, especially with the second goal we conceded.
“It was quick throw-in the second goal and it’s very disappointing because we keep going on about that.
“To concede from that situation it’s very disappointing and we need to learn because in the Champions League you’ll get punished.”
Dejan Lovren was at fault for the first, falling over as he tried to clear a low cross, but the second was a result of the defence as a unit switching off.
Lovren’s centre-back partner Joel Matip accepts everyone has to improve in that area as it has cost them already this season, notably in their opening game of the campaign when they conceded a lastminute equaliser to Watford.
“It’s hard to say what the problem is. Every player acts for the defence. The two goals don’t look too good. We have to do it better next time,” said Matip.
Goalkeeper Loris Karius, preferred for the Champions League ahead of regular No1 Simon Mignolet, did not have a genuine save to make as I will be better than before. I am not coming back because I am the one I am, I am coming back to be a better version of the old one. Imagine how that will be.
“I feel good. I have trained every day since I had my knee operated on, there is no vacation.
“It’s a new challenge for me but I am strong mentally and when I focus on an objective, nothing can stop me. I’ll go through everything, it doesn’t matter what is in my way, to reach my goal.
“When I am playing again I don’t want any excuses that I was injured or, ‘He just came back, this is his first game’. I want the same pressure I had before everything happened. I am looking forward to that moment.”
Wayne Rooney makes his first return to Old Trafford on Sunday since Jose Mourinho let him leave for Everton, with Ibrahimovic saying he is proud to have inherited the No10 shirt.
He told Inside United: “The fans should expect great things because I am taking over the number from another great No10 – Wayne Rooney.
“I have only positive things to say about Wayne. He is a great person off the pitch and on the field.” VIRGIL VAN DIJK has been told his Southampton team-mates will decide if the Dutchman loses the captaincy. Van Dijk, left, is in contention for a league return at Crystal Palace tomorrow for the first time since his failed attempts to force through a transfer to Liverpool. Boss Mauricio Pellegrino said: “You have to deserve the captaincy.”