Henderson hopes for World Cup lift

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson hopes a World Cup campaign with England will help him overcome his devastation at losing the Champions League final.

A clearly emotional Henderson was close to tears as he spoke in the bowels of the NSC Oliympiysky Stadium following the 3-1 loss to Real Madrid.

Having been forced to watch the Europa League final defeat to Sevilla two years ago from the bench as he was not fully fit, this one was even more difficult to take.

But the 27-year-old Wearsider hopes a successful run in Russia this summer will ease the pain.

“Obviously (I’m) devastated. It is the worst feeling I have had in football,” he said.

“It will hurt for a while but you have to move on in football. The World Cup is coming up. Things move quickly. You have to focus on going forward.

“Some of us have time off to go and get away and take their minds off it, and others have got the World Cup.

“I want to get back to business as soon as possible. We are devastated for the fans.

“Overall we have to be proud of the achievement getting here. We have done brilliantly.”

Defeat was the third in a final during Jurgen Klopp’s three seasons at Liverpool and the German manager’s sixth in succession in showpiece events.

However, despite that record Henderson is convinced he can eventually lift a long-awaited trophy for the club under this manager’s guidance, with Klopp having a contract until 2022.

“I believe in this team. I believe in this manager. I believe we are going in the right direction,” he added.

“It is so difficult to stand here now and say that but that is the truth. It is how I feel. We have to make it happen.I believe we will be back (in the Champions League final). I believe we will be challenging in all competitions domestically.