We will face a different beast, says Henderson

JORDAN HENDERSON admits Liverpool must overcome a ‘different Manchester United’ if they are to return to the top of the Premier League.

When the two sides met at Anfield a little over two months ago, United were a club in disarray. Six wins in 18 in all competitions, a team without confidence, and manager Jose Mourinho in constant conflict with his star players and on the brink of the sack.

Liverpool’s convincing 3-1 victory pushed him over the precipice. In his place, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has set about rejuvenating those disillusioned players and fans.

United have won 11 of their 13 games under Solskjaer and Henderson knows the prospect of coming away from Old Trafford with the point that will take them back to the top of the Premier League has become a whole lot harder.

‘It is a different United, definitely,’ said Henderson. ‘They are in a better moment now. They are in much better form, everyone can see that.

‘Their performance against Chelsea in the FA Cup was very, very good. Their counterattack was very good and defensively they were solid.

‘They are a good team with top, top players. So it will be another tough test for us going to Old Trafford. We will need to be at the top of our game to get anything out of it. But we are in a good place as well and just need to give everything.

‘Every game is the biggest game for us now. They are all massive. It would be a massive three points for us.’

It is hard enough going to Old Trafford taking on one half of Manchester, but Liverpool make the 30-mile trip east this afternoon knowing the whole city will be united against them. Title rivals Manchester City will want United to do them a rare favour.

Not that Henderson is too daunted. ‘Everybody will be against us when we play,’ he said. ‘I am sure it is the same for other big teams. For a top team you have to get used to that. It won’t alter our mindset.’