Interview'We need to be at our very best' - Henderson's Wembley message

The Reds will tackle Chelsea in the competition’s final as they seek to win the trophy for the first time since 2012 at the expense of a side with whom they have played out two intense, high-quality draws in league football this season.

It’s an occasion Henderson is eagerly looking forward to, though the captain’s pre-match sentiments are centred on the need for his team to be at their top level for the chance to overcome the Blues.

“I know it will be a tough game just because of the quality that they have,” the No.14 told Liverpoolfc.com. “They are a very good side.

“They’ve won a few trophies over the past year, which will give them a lot of confidence. When we’ve played them this season they’ve both been really tough games. I’m guessing Sunday will be exactly the same.

“Fantastic players, the manager has done really well since he’s gone in there, so it’s a really tough test for us. We will need to be at our very best to even stand a chance, so hopefully we can do that and we can be there ready, give absolutely everything. If we perform to the level we are capable of then we can give them a very good game.”

Read the rest of our pre-final interview with Henderson below…

Jordan, the days before a big game there is always something a bit different in the air and I imagine a Wembley final that feeling is extra special, just describe the feeling in the squad at the moment ahead of Sunday…

I think there’s a lot of excitement building, like you said, a few days before the final and everybody is just preparing to get ready as much as possible. We had a training group today [Friday], obviously [for] the lads that played midweek [it] was more of a lighter day, but the lads that didn’t it was a bit more, so are starting to build now. Saturday will be a really important day for us to focus and know what we are going to be doing on Sunday. So, excitement is building and we just can’t wait to get out there and play.

Wembley is a place you’ve played many times before for England and of course Liverpool as well. How does it feel when you lead the team out and you look at the Liverpool end and you see the flags, the banners – does it make the hairs stand on end a little bit seeing that at Wembley?

Yes. It’s hard to describe, you know, it’s an incredible feeling any final you play in and with it being at Wembley it’s even more special. But incredible when you are walking out in the warm-up and you see the fans getting ready for the game. But as players, we just want to get out there, get playing and give it everything for the fans and for the club.

For the team obviously you are on such a good run at the moment, but in terms of the rest of the season the chance to get a piece of silverware in the trophy cabinet in February – what can that do for belief and momentum for the next few months ahead?

I think it can give you a big boost. So early on in the season, to win a trophy would be special for us and maybe give us a little boost going into the business end of the season in the last few months, which would be nice. But at the same time you can’t rest everything just on this game because there is still a lot of football to be played, still a lot of competitions to play afterwards. So, no matter which way the final goes we need to react in the right way and give absolutely everything until the end of the season. But, yeah, of course if we win Sunday then it can give you a big boost for the remainder of the season.

A quick word on Caoimhin Kelleher because he’s kind of made this competition his own, hasn’t he? How impressed have you been with him, seeing him in previous rounds and come through those, and I’m sure he’s looking forward massively to Sunday and having this opportunity?

It’s a big opportunity for him. I think every time he has come in he has been outstanding. He’s done so well in all aspects of his game, obviously learning from probably the best ’keeper in the world helps. He’s a fantastic lad. I’m really made up for him how well he has done and we probably wouldn’t be here without him, so I think the lads know how big he has been and hopefully he can have another good day on Sunday.

For you personally, you’ve had so much success in finals in recent years, but how much would it mean to you to lead the club to another piece of silverware?

It’s always an incredible feeling to lead the club in finals and this one would be exactly the same. It’s another opportunity for us as a team, as a club, to pick up more silverware so again, we’ll just give absolutely everything and hopefully we can get over the line and bring the trophy back.