Henderson lays down Stoke gauntlet: We’ll put 6-1 humiliation to bed!

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson insists that the club are motivated by the fact they return to the scene of their 6-1 hammering by Stoke for their first game of the 2015-16 season.

Liverpool’s new season begins, where the last ended just under three months ago, but this time Brendan Rodgers’ men will be looking to significantly improve on the humiliating 6-1 loss that occurred the last time the two sides met.

After a disappointing 2014-15 season Liverpool seem destined to aim for a Champions League spot, rather than a league title. In every category other than fitness Sakho has been proven superior, and Rodgers’ choice to start the season should be an easy one.

“This week will be a crucial week because it’s really important to start the season well”, said the Ivorian to his club’s official website.

“But the lads who were playing that day will remember it for quite a few time”.

Henderson is quoted in the Liverpool Echo, saying: “I still think we need to work on a couple of things this week before Stoke but we will go there with a lot of confidence and belief that we can get a good result”.

The skipper continued that the Reds are “focusing on the future” and that whilst Mark Hughes’ men are a good side, so are they. They are a good team. We are a young team but we have brought in quality. I think the quality we have added will make a big difference.’.

“Obviously we can use that as motivation to drive us on into this season”.

Liverpool’s pre-season tour included the team travelling over 30,000 miles to play in four different countries. We had too many defensive changes last year and that’s not something that I like.

He was also asked about Joe Gomez, who started again in Finland, while Alberto Moreno was left at home – fuelling speculation that the teenager could be preferred to the Spaniard come our trip to the Britannia Stadium.

The Northern Irishman was asked following yesterday’s 2-0 win whether Skrtel and Lovren would be his partnership come the Stoke game next weekend.