Don’t get sobby over Bobby
HENDO WARNING
JORDAN HENDERSON has urged Liverpool to maintain their winning streak and not be distracted by emotional goodbyes for team-mates.
Aston Villa’s visit on Saturday is the Reds’ final home game this season when fans are set to pay tribute to an outgoing quartet of stars.
Roberto Firmino, James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will all leave the club at the end of the month.
Boss Jurgen Klopp has confirmed Brazilian striker Firmino, 31, is set for a late run out from the bench in his final game at Anfield in his first appearance in a month.
Fans showed their admiration for the Premier League and Champions League winner at Leicester when they sang Firmino’s name for long spells in Monday night’s 3-0 win.
Henderson says the star deserves the memorable tribute but says it is vital Klopp’s fifth-placed side secure an eighth win in a row.
The Reds skipper wants to keep the pressure on Newcastle and Manchester United above them in the race for the top four, which he hopes to take to the final day at relegated Southampton.
Henderson said: “Bobby is a big part of the squad and an amazing guy.
“Of course he will be missed along with the other lads who are leaving as well so it will be tough to see them leave.
“But the focus is always just on the game first and foremost and we will be doing everything we can to win.
“That is the most important thing, then whatever happens after that happens.
“We want to get the three points on Saturday.
“We have business to do now for the next couple of weeks with two games left, then we can say the goodbyes after that. We just have to concentrate on our job which is to win the next two games and then see where we are at the end of the season.”
While several older faces are preparing to leave, Liverpool’s win at the King Power Stadium provided plenty of optimism for the future.
Among the stars to impress were England Under-21s midfielder Curtis Jones, 22, who bagged a clinical firsthalf double to take his tally to three goals in four games.
Trent Alexander-Arnold also shone in front of England boss Gareth Southgate as he moved into midfield when Liverpool were in possession and curled in a stunning strike following a short free-kick to make it 3-0.
Victory secured European football for next term despite an indifferent season including heavy defeats to Napoli, Brighton, Wolves, Real Madrid and Manchester City.
But Henderson, under contract until 2025, insists their form has engendered a lot of optimism and momentum for next season.
He said: “We have had our problems this season for different reasons, but we have shown over the last few good weeks that we are still a very good team.
“We can still perform at a high level and win games consistently.”
■ DON’T miss Bobby Firmino: Si Señor, an official Liverpool Football Club tribute souvenir magazine.
Read his story in his own words, reliving some magical memories of the Brazilian through exclusive interviews given to the club’s official matchday programme and magazine.
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