Unfinished business from Kiev drives us on
JORDAN HENDERSON knows all about the desire to end Liverpool’s long wait for the English top-flight title.
But the Anfield skipper also feels there is unfinished business in the Champions League after a heart-breaking 3-1 defeat by Real Madrid in last season’s final.
“When you lose in a final, it always stays with you – always,” said Henderson. “You always want to use that as motivation to try and get back there and maybe put that right.”
Jurgen Klopp’s side restart their Champions League campaign tonight when they host German giants Bayern Munich in the first leg of their last-16 tie.
It will be only the eighth time the two teams have met in competitive football and the second in the European Cup. The first was in 1981 when Liverpool won on away goals in the semi-final and went on to beat Real Madrid in the final.
Liverpool reached the knockout stage after fighting hard to get out of a tough Group C before Christmas, beating Napoli in their final game to finish second to Paris Saint-Germain.
And England midfielder Henderson admits they are driven by the defeat against Real in Kiev last May.
Klopp’s side were in the game until Mo Salah was forced off with a shoulder injury following a clash with Sergio Ramos.
Goalkeeper Loris Karius gifted Real an opener when he threw the ball at Karim Benzema before Sadio Mane equalised. Gareth Bale then scored a wonder goal before another Karius howler handed the Welshman a second and ended the Reds’ hopes of a sixth European Cup.
“I feel as though we used the Europa League final [against Sevilla in 2016] defeat in the right way,” said Henderson.
“We progressed from there and we need to do the same with the Champions League and we need to keep improving. We need to use that as determination to get back there. And if we get back there, hopefully we will go one step further.”
Liverpool’s run to the Champions League final last season did not cost them their place in the top four of the Premier League as they held off a challenge from Chelsea.
But they did drop 10 points on the domestic front in games immediately following European knockout matches.
A similar dip in league form this term would be catastrophic as they attempt to land their first league title since 1990.
They are second behind leaders Manchester City on goal difference, but have a game in hand.
The players held a meeting at their training camp in Marbella
last week as they urged each other not to take their eyes off the ball in either competition.
“I feel as though we have a good enough squad to cope with the games when they are coming thick and fast,” said Henderson.
“It is down to us to keep performing, no matter what competition it is. We will give everything and just be mentally ready for the next few months. That is why Marbella was such an important week for us to get ready.”
The fact Henderson is even fielding questions about going for a Premier League-European Cup double shows how far the side have come under Klopp since 2015.
Bayern have not failed to reach the quarter-finals since 2011 but manager Niko Kovac said: “We’re playing against an opponent that’s the most difficult draw.”
“Liverpool has respect for us, as we do for them, and there will be a sporting contest.”
Bayern are without defender Jerome Boateng because of a stomach bug.
Franck Ribery is also a doubt after his partner gave birth. The French winger travelled to Liverpool later than the rest of the squad.
Thomas Muller is suspended for both legs while Kingsley Coman is battling to overcome an ankle injury.