'We're confident but there's plenty still to improve'
Liverpool secured their seventh consecutive win of the season on Saturday but Jordan Henderson is certain his team can still improve on their performances.
A 3-0 result against Southampton at Anfield extended the hosts’ 100 per cent start to 2018-19 and set a new club record for the most successive victories to open a campaign.
Henderson and co did not have it easy on the day but strikes by Joel Matip and Mohamed Salah added to Wesley Hoedt’s own goal before the interval and left Saints with too high a mountain to climb.
The Reds captain is not happy to settle for the current levels, however, telling Liverpoolfc.com post-match: “We can always improve, definitely.
“We’re in a good moment – we’ve got a good rhythm, some good performances and good results – so of course we’re confident but there’s still plenty of room for improvement, certainly after today. But, overall, we’re happy with the win.
“It’s tough against anyone in the Premier League. Southampton are a good team and when you let them play they can hurt you. At times they found some gaps and created some half-chances.
“It’s just about keeping going and keeping the performance level high. I thought the lads that came in did really well – that’s a big positive for us.”
Watch: Extended highlights of the 3-0 win
Xherdan Shaqiri was handed his full debut for Liverpool and impressed, playing a key role in the first and third goals, despite being taken off at half-time for tactical reasons.
Henderson is pleased with the attitude of those players waiting for an opportunity, particularly with the start of a new competition to come when Chelsea visit Anfield in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.
“We have been training really hard, even the lads that haven’t been playing as much as they’d like,” continued the skipper.
“They are just waiting for their chance and when they get onto the pitch they want to perform for the team and win games. That’s what we’ve done again.
“We need to keep going, as I keep saying every week. There’s another tough test in midweek in a different competition. We need to just keep going and keep improving.”
Salah put his name on the scoresheet for the first time in four games when he forced home on the rebound from Shaqiri’s superb free-kick against the crossbar in first-half stoppage-time.
“I’m delighted for him, of course. He wants to score goals so it’s important for him,” added Henderson.
“But the most important thing is the win – I’m sure he’d tell you the same. It’s good for him, good for the team and we move on.”