COOK’S ANGUISH
Henderson: Win at Burnley with a much-changed line-up proves we have got great strength in depth DYCHE STURRS REDS ROW
JORDAN HENDERSON claims Liverpool have proved they have the squad to challenge for silverware.
Henderson was delighted that they were able to win at Burnley to maintain the title heat on Manchester City, despite making seven changes.
The Reds struggled last season when Jurgen Klopp rested his big-hitters because his squad lacked depth.
That was painfully illustrated in the Champions League final when Klopp had players such as Ragnar Klavan, Dominic Solanke and Nathaniel Clyne on the bench.
But Klopp handed Daniel Sturridge, Divock Origi, Joel Matip and Alberto Moreno rare starts at Turf Moor – and went home with three points.
Summer signing Xherdan Shaqiri, who has had to be patient for a starting place, rewarded his boss with the goal that sealed a 3-1 victory.
“We made a lot of changes,” said Liverpool skipper Henderson. “And the lads who came in did a great job. That shows how good the squad is.
“Everyone is important and we’re going to need everyone over the next few months FROM BACK PAGE because the games come thick and fast. We will need everyone to play their part.”
Klopp’s side have made the best start by any Liverpool side in their history over the first 15 games, which is some achievement, given their 18 title-winning teams.
They have shown they can win in different ways in recent weeks and displayed character against Burnley as they came back from a goal down to triumph with three goals during the last half hour.
They had demonstrated patience against Watford when they kept their cool to score three times in the final quarter in their 3-0 success. And they proved they can fight right to the final whistle with their 96th-minute winner in the Merseyside derby on Sunday.
Henderson was delighted by how the Reds responded to going behind at Turf Moor.
“We were a bit disappointed with the goal,” he said. “But the reaction to go on to win the game was great. The lads were brilliant, and we’re delighted with the three points.”
Henderson was also pleased at how well Liverpool kept their heads in the face of some aggressive tackles from
Sturridge’s cheating when he went down, nothing near him, and he got a free-kick for it.
“I watched Liverpool as a kid, I was a Liverpool fan growing up in the 70s, and they had a fantastic side, of skill, will, demand and a physical edge.
“Now if that’s gone and been Burnley, which angered Klopp. Joe Gomez suffered a fractured left leg in a tackle by Ben Mee.
Klopp said: “Joe’s injured – and not only a little bit”. Henderson knew Burnley would be physical and was delighted at the way Liverpool stood up to them. “You have got to expect that,” he said.
“We knew Burnley were aggressive. I’m not really sure what happened with Joe, but we reacted well.
“The focus was brilliant in terms of maintaining control and creating chances.” replaced by cheating, I’m absolutely happy to be old fashioned.
“There’s no way I’d want to not see good proper professionals challenging in the manner that ours did, and replace it with cheating.”
Centre-back Gomez (right) will be out for six weeks. BOURNEMOUTH midfielder Lewis Cook has been ruled out for up to nine months with a knee injury – scuppering a potential move to RB Leipzig.
The England international, 21, ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament during Bournemouth’s 2-1 win over Huddersfield on Tuesday. Amazingly, the former Leeds star (below) played on before scans revealed the severity of the damage. Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe said: “We are all devastated for Lewis. It is a huge blow.” He was on a list of January targets drawn up by Leipzig.