'I feel ready to lead this team and win things'

Injuries restricted Henderson to just 23 starts in all competitions last term, but the skipper has played the full 90 minutes in all four of the Reds’ fixtures so far in this campaign.

The 26-year-old, who also started England’s World Cup qualifier against Slovakia last weekend, has admitted that his fitness issues took their toll mentally last season, but he is now looking ahead with confidence - both individually and collectively.

“When you’re not playing it is difficult to feel that you are the leader of the team. You want to help but I couldn’t,” Henderson explained.

“That’s a big difference with this season. I feel good, I feel fit but there are a lot of leaders in the team, it’s not just me. 

“There are big characters in the dressing room and we have a very good group of players so I don’t see it as reliant on me…there are people around me who are just as big as leaders and who can drive the team on.

“I’m in a much better place, I feel very confident and feel I am ready to lead this team and win things.”

Henderson enjoys a strong relationship with Jürgen Klopp, and the No.14 was full of praise for the boss’ management methods. 

“He's very special on the training pitch and as a person,” he added.

“His team talks are unique and I think all the players buy into what he wants and what he is trying to do. If everyone does that we'll go far.”

Liverpool host Leicester City in the first game at the newly-redeveloped Anfield tomorrow - and while Henderson is expecting a tough game, he believes there is plenty of cause for optimism in the home dressing room. 

“We have to give Leicester a lot of respect, the bottom line is they are champions,” he said.

“We wanted to win all the first three away games at the Emirates [Stadium], Burnley and White Hart Lane and even though we didn’t do that I feel there was an obvious show of intent, particularly in the second half against Arsenal and at White Hart Lane. 

“We are not far away from where we want to get to.”