Programme notes'My first big Liverpool moment came in the League Cup semi-finals'

The midfielder is hoping for another in the same competition as he gears up for the start of the Reds’ last-four tie with Arsenal, which begins at Anfield this evening.

During his debut season with the club, Henderson played his part when Kenny Dalglish’s side reached the 2012 final at Wembley after beating Manchester City over two legs.

In his column in the matchday programme for the Arsenal clash, Henderson recalls: “It’s quite a long time ago now, but what I would describe as my first big Liverpool moment came at the semi-final stage of this competition 10 years ago this month.

“Reaching the final of the Carling Cup, as it was then, was massive for me as a young player and it was also important for us as a club because it took us back onto the big stage after a bit of a gap.

“We went on to lift the trophy at Wembley and winning silverware was obviously incredible for everyone involved, but the significance of beating another big club – in that case Manchester City – to qualify for the final should not be understated.

“I can vividly remember the scenes when the final whistle was blown because they confirmed the feeling that this was exactly what I had joined Liverpool for.

“You can’t understate the importance of those moments. The fact that the memories feel almost as vivid today as they did shortly after tells you everything you need to know about the impact the occasion had on me.

“The whole experience gives you a feeling that you want to have over and over again and this will be the message for all of us before we step out onto the pitch tonight.

“The competition’s name might have changed and as a club we might have progressed quite a bit since then, but the importance of reaching a major final remains as big as ever. These are the steps that take you closer to glory while at the same time add something to you individually and collectively.

“When I look back on my own personal development, I know that the semi-final in 2012 was huge for me because over the space of two legs I was faced with almost every challenge, scenario and emotion that you could imagine over 180 minutes.

“I have no doubt that the two games we have against Arsenal will be exactly the same.”

• Order your Liverpool v Arsenal matchday programme now