Henderson ready to fight for Liverpool place

20 August 2013 08:47

Jordan Henderson is determined to fight for his place as the challenge of holding down a place in Liverpool's midfield becomes increasingly tough.

There were times last year when the England Under-21 international's days at Anfield appeared to be numbered.

Within a couple of months of manager Brendan Rodgers arriving, the midfielder was offered to Fulham as part of a failed bid to sign Clint Dempsey.

Henderson rejected the switch, knuckled down and has found his reward on the pitch having been named in the starting line-up for Liverpool's opening-day win over Stoke at the weekend.

"It is always nice to play, I am sure that is the same for everyone," said the 23-year-old.

"But we are a squad and there will be times when other people come in and I have to keep fighting for my place and hopefully stay in the team.

"The most important thing in your first game of the season at home is to win the game and that is what we got."

Liverpool could have beaten Stoke at a canter - Henderson himself could have had at least two, once only being denied by the fingertips of goalkeeper Asmir Begovic who diverted the ball onto a post.

The midfielder admits they have to be more ruthless in front of goal if they are to stand a chance of breaking back into the top four, especially with last season's 30-goal striker Luis Suarez suspended until the end of September.

But he also paid tribute to goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, who saved a late penalty, whom he believes is more than capable of filling the void left by fans' favourite Jose Reina who was loaned out to Napoli very soon after the Belgian arrived at Anfield this summer.

Source: PA