Hendo: Ive kicked every ball with them Jordan Henderson admits hes kicked every ball mentally with his teammates over the course of his three-match ban – but hes relishing the chance to do it for real once again when he returns against Newcastle United on Sunday. The midfielder received a red card in stoppage-time against Manchester City on April 13, ruling him out of the subsequent games with Norwich City, Chelsea and Crystal Palace. During that time, Henderson continued to train and travel with the team as normal, though found himself positioned in the stands when the action got underway. With his suspension now over, the 23-year-old will return to the fold for the final game of 2013-14 this weekend. To be honest, nothing changed for me, Henderson told the Liverpool Echo. I trained as normal, travelled as normal, and was involved with the lads as normal as well. All that had changed was that I couldnt play in the games. It was difficult, but my job was to encourage the lads and try and get them up for the game as much as I could. I just tried to help as much as I could, especially with the young players. I wanted to still be involved. Things would have been going through my head even more if Id have been sat at home, and not there with the lads. He added: Its hard, because you want to play. Youre frustrated because youre not out there. But youre just like a fan really, you want the lads to do well. I kick every ball when Im watching. And you do see a different side to the game. I learnt a few new things in those three games. Henderson received the red card after a challenge on Samir Nasri as Liverpool were protecting a 3-2 lead against City. Having had an opportunity to watch the incident back, the No.14 has no qualms about the decision, though he admits hes replayed the incident several times over in his head. He explained: I didnt expect the red, because I thought Id got the ball. But when I look back, Ive got the ball but Ive gone over and caught Nasri quite high up. I couldnt have expected anything else really. It wasnt a malicious tackle. I just wanted to get the ball back. It was the last minute of the game, and I felt if Id have won the ball there, that could have been it really. We could have broken and kept it up the field. But I overran it, and I tried to make up for it a bit too much. Ive been over it in my head a fair few times, especially in the first couple of days. That night, I was sat there thinking: Why did I do that? I didnt know straight away that it was three games but, after the game, a few people told me. I was devastated. But at the same time, if I hadnt have made the tackle and theyd have gone and scored, Id never have forgiven myself. Liverpool will head into the final day of the season with a mathematical chance of clinching the league title. Should City suffer defeat at home to West Ham United, a victory for the Reds will see them crowned champions. So would former Sunderland man Henderson feel an extra degree of satisfaction if the moment was to come against Newcastle? It doesnt matter who we are playing, said Henderson. If we win the league, it doesnt matter who it was against! Anyway, its not about me, or any individual. Its about Liverpool, and winning our last game to have a chance of winning the title. If we do that, I wont be worrying about that tackle anymore!
Posted on: Fri, 09 May 2014 08:35:59 +0000
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