Rodgers: I trust Henderson

Brendan Rodgers has paid tribute to the attitude and form of Jordan Henderson, admitting: 'I know I can always call on him.'

The midfielder has produced some of his best performances for the club under the stewardship of the boss, making 36 appearances and scoring three goals so far this term.



Though Henderson hasn't began a game since the Europa League clash with Zenit St Petersburg at Anfield in February, Rodgers has been delighted with his contribution and insists he'll have no qualms about recalling him to the starting XI when the time is right.



"It's just the balance and it depends on the opponent," Rodgers said. "Jordan has been excellent and his attitude has been great. The team has been winning as well.



"But Jordan has been excellent, he's a good player, he's improving tactically all the time and I know if I need to call on him he will be ready."

Liverpool can still make Europe

The Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson has said that the club's bid for European football is far from over despite the defeat at Southampton.

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The Reds' three-match winning run in the league, which had raised slim hopes of sneaking into the Champions League, was brought to a shuddering halt with the 3-1 loss on Saturday.



However, while the top four – now nine points away – may be out of reach, Henderson believes seventh-placed Liverpool can still secure a place in European competition next season.



"It was a big disappointment against Southampton but Europe's not gone yet," he said. "We've still got eight games to play and that's a lot of points to play for. We've still got to play some of the teams above us so we have to keep going. We have to pick ourselves up from this and ensure we respond positively against Aston Villa after the international break."



Henderson's playing time in the league has been limited since his last start since Liverpool took on West Bromwich Albion but he accepts it has been difficult to break into a winning side. However, he is hoping for an opportunity with Joe Allen set to have an operation on a shoulder injury seemingly sooner rather than later after pulling out of Wales' squad on Sunday.



"I've just got to keep working hard," he told the Liverpool Echo. "Before Saturday the team had been playing brilliantly so I can't complain. You can't really change a winning team so I've understood why I've not played. I just have to make sure that when the manager needs me I'm ready to take my chance."

Henderson: Lucas has helped me

Jordan Henderson has spoken of the respect within the Liverpool squad for Lucas Leiva as he nears a first-team return – and revealed how the Brazilian has helped him through some difficult moments.



Lucas has been out of first-team contention since suffering a thigh injury during the early stages of the Reds' meeting with Manchester City on August 26.



But the midfielder banked 61 minutes for the U21s last week and Henderson revealed that both young and old members of the squad are relishing the 25-year-old's comeback.



"Lucas has been working hard to get back as quick as he can, training for the last few days. He looks nearly ready," Henderson told Liverpoolfc.com.



"He's been keeping it simple because I don't think he wants to start pinging balls in case he pops it again.



"He's been looking sharp in training and he's a really good lad so the quicker we can get him back the better. He's a top player, everybody knows that."



Henderson can perhaps draw comparisons with Lucas' rise in popularity at Anfield and his own fledgling Reds career, and the 22-year-old explained that his senior colleague is always available for advice.



He continued: "He will offer advice to younger players - I've spoken to him a couple of times about things.



"He's a really nice guy and he'll help you through times when it might not be going right for you. He's definitely a senior player that you look up to. He's a big player for Liverpool and as soon as he gets back, it will benefit the team."



The next challenge for the Reds is a home clash against a rejuvenated Southampton team managed by one-time Liverpool trainee Nigel Adkins.



Henderson expects a tough task when the Saints visit Merseyside on Saturday afternoon, but called on his teammates to claim regular victories at Anfield.



"They've been playing well the last few weeks, got some good results, and they like to play football as well," the midfielder added.



"They've got some good players, it's another difficult game but one that we'll go in confident about winning and hopefully we can keep playing like we have been.



"They're enjoying playing in the Premier League, I'm sure the manager and all the players will be enjoying it. You can see that in the way that they play. It will be a good game.



"It's a key feature in the Premier League - you need to win your home games. That's what we've been trying to do. It's another big game against Southampton and we'll make sure that we're ready and confident going into the game."



The Reds are also set to welcome Aston Villa and Fulham before 2012 concludes, and Henderson is confident that three points can be secured against each.



"They're games that we'll go in confident about winning, but I think we go into every game like that. Because of the players that we've got, we think that we can win.



"Those games will be no different - we'll give the teams the respect that they deserve but we're there to do a job and win the game."



Win, lose or draw, the midfielder echoed the argument that the Reds are improving all the time and believes the club's loyal supporters can see that progress for themselves.



"I think the fans appreciate what the manager and everyone else is trying to do," he concluded.



"You can see improvements week by week in the way that we play, the way that we keep the ball and press as a team.



"There's definitely improvement that people can see so I think they appreciate that and they'll support us all the way like they always have."