PRESSURE? WE LOVE IT

Henderson: Kop stars relishing the heat of title battle

SKIPPER Jordan Henderson claims Liverpool players are relishing the pressure of the title race.

The Reds have won just one of their last four matches in all competitions, and a seven-point lead in the Premier League has disappeared with Manchester City now topping the table.

Liverpool face Manchester United on Sunday at Old Trafford in a huge game for their title prospects.

Henderson (right) said: “There are no free swings when you play for Liverpool and nor should there be.

“No one here wants to be the underdog or the outsider – all of our team want a sense of expectation because it means you are performing at the

highest level.” Some Liverpool fans would like the Reds to prioritise the Premier League over the Champions League, but Henderson claims the club would win nothing if they did that.

“This season there has been external discussion about whether we should prioritise certain comps over others,” said the midfielder.

“One place that discussion has not happened is at Melwood.

“There’s no need to prioritise, so we don’t. We have to have the same attitude in each and every game – that the priority is to win.

“It’s that simple. If you start thinking we’d sooner win this or that, then you’ll end up failing.

“If you give yourself an excuse you’ll end up with nothing.”