Former Sunderland midfielder Jordan Henderson looks forward to Champions League football with Liverpool
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Jordan-Henderson-c19102 was recently signed by Liverpool from Sunderland for an estimated fee of £16 million.
Many have criticized the summer signing by the Reds, claiming they spent too much on the former Black Cats midfielder.
Henderson revealed the unexpectedly high transfer fee paid by Liverpool to acquire his services had given him confidence.
The young Englishman said he was looking forward to helping his side regain their dominance in English football once again.
Liverpool have not been doing too well recently, finishing sixth place on the English Premier League table this time around.
Henderson said while speaking to reporters:
“I don't really make the figures up but it just shows that Liverpool have faith in me.
So I'll work hard and improve as a player and learn a lot and hopefully I can repay them.”
The failure to finish in the top four of the Premier League meant the Reds had failed to qualify for not only the UEFA Champions League but also the Europa League.
It has been a while since Liverpool featured in the top European competition and while they have improved under Kenny Dalglish; their Champions League dream seems far away.
Henderson admitted he wanted to play Champions League football, but realized it was necessary to focus on the Premier League to ensure Champions League qualification.
The 20-year-old continued:
“Every player wants to play in the Champions League, but I think we've got to focus on the Premier League first.
Hopefully, this season can be a good season for Liverpool.”
Since former Liverpool player Kenny Dalglish took over the Reds, they have improved considerably, with a sixth place finish seemingly impossible under Roy Hodgson.
Under Dalglish, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Liverpool-c39809 went on to defeat the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea, and Manchester City in the Premier League.
The Scotsman signed Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll in the January transfer window after the departure of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786.
He has now added Henderson to his squad, which he seems to be restructuring ahead of the next season.
Henderson, who had played for Sunderland all his life until now, admitted leaving his childhood club had been a tough decision.
However, he admitted playing for Liverpool was an opportunity he could not turn down. Henderson revealed:
“It's a massive, massive thing in my life and my career but obviously it's a great opportunity for me to go there and improve as a player.
So it was an opportunity I couldn't really turn down to be honest.”
Henderson made his senior debut for Sunderland in 2008 after having been with the club’s youth side for two years, from 2006 to 2008.
In his three seasons at the Stadium of Light, except for a short loan move to Coventry City, Henderson has made 79 appearances for the Black Cats and has managed to score five goals.
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