HENDERSON’S FIRM ON NEED FOR FOCUS
Jordan will not be derailed by any emotional goodbye
JORDAN HENDERSON has urged Liverpool not to be distracted by emotional goodbyes for team-mates as they look to maintain their winning streak.
Aston Villa’s visit on Saturday is the Reds’ final home game this season and fans are set to pay tribute to Roberto Firmino, James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who will all leave the club at the end of the month.
Manager Jurgen Klopp has confirmed Firmino, 31, is set for a late run-out from the bench in the Brazil striker’s final game at Anfield, a month on from his previous appearance.
Fans showed their admiration for the Premier League and Champions League winner at Leicester when they sang Firmino’s name for long spells during Monday night’s 3-0 win.
Henderson knows Firmino deserves the tribute but says it is vital Klopp’s fifth-placed side secure an eighth win in a row on Saturday to keep the pressure on Newcastle and Manchester United in the topfour race.
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. It will be tough to see them go.
“But the focus is on the game first and foremost and we will be doing all we can to win.
“We have business to do for the next couple of weeks, then we can say the goodbyes.”
While several older faces are preparing to leave, Liverpool’s win at Leicester provided plenty of optimism for the future. Among the stars to impress were midfielder Curtis Jones, 22, who bagged a clinical double to take his tally to three goals in four games.
Trent Alexander-Arnold also shone as he moved into midfield when Liverpool were in possession and curled in a stunning strike to make it 3-0.
Victory secured European football for next term – despite an indifferent season, including heavy defeats by Napoli, Brighton, Wolves, Real Madrid and Manchester City.
But Henderson, under contract until 2025, insists their form has engendered a lot of optimism for next season. The 32-year-old, below, said: “We have had our problems this season, but we have shown over the last few weeks that we are still a very good team. “We can still perform at a high level and win games consistently. “Hopefully, we can do that in the next two games and carry it through into next season. “There are a few lads leaving and I am sure there will be a few lads coming in.
“So we need to be ready in pre-season, which is big for us. “But we still have two games left, which is the focus at the minute.”
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