‘Critics always want more goals from midfield.. but I really don’t care who scores as long as we win’

SAYS REDS SKIPPER JORDAN HENDERSON

That is the whole point. Liverpool are a very different side to Manchester City, their output based on a collective team ethic, and not always individual brilliance. In midfield there must be high-energy output, pressing, counterpressing, recycling.

It requires awareness and discipline, and an understanding others are there to capitalise on that unselfish work. “People will analyse and say we want more goals from midfield, but if the forwards score the goals then what does it matter?” added Henderson. “I don’t care who scores as long as we win.

We have got a lot of good midfielders, different players who can do different things.

“That’s good for the boss because it’ll depend on certain games and teams that we’re playing and who fits that particular game.

“But I feel that we’re all performing to a high level, pushing each other. We want to be successful and to help each other.”

Henderson’s goal was his first at Anfield since December 2015. But that statistic is skewed by a long spell in the holding role. Only recently, since Fabinho’s full integration into that position around Christmas of last year, has he pushed further forward.

“Fab has been excellent in that position,” said Henderson. “He reads the game so well, breaks play up and starts attacks.”

Fabinho gets acclaim for his unselfish contribution, but the skipper takes no offence.

Henderson does not need the personal spotlight to feel the warmth in this Liverpool team.