Henderson on Klopp, fans and future titles after becoming EPL Champions
Triumphant Liverpool celebrating their title
A Jubilant Liverpool Joran Henderson, all praise for his trainer Jurgen Klopp, says he “cannot express” what the German has done for The Reds and hopes that he will stay with EPL Champions for a long time to come. Liverpool officially have their hands of the trophy for the first time in 30 years on Thursday after Chelsea defeated Manchester City. The Reds are now 23 points clear with 7 games remaining in the season.
“We want to perform for the manger, for the football club, for the city,” midfielder Henderson pledged.
In a wide-ranging interview, Henderson praised his boss’ role in success or loss.
“When you win, he is on the dancefloor and partying but to be honest, when we lose, the way he handles that is incredible,” Henderson said.
“I always felt he had that belief in this team that after each final we maybe did not win, we would come back stronger, or when we have won, he knows that we will keep going. This is why it feels so good, to give something back to everyone, especially the Premier League title everyone has wanted for so long.”
Klopp who took the reigns of The Reds in 2015 has now won them UCL, UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup and now the EPL top-flight title in a dream run.
Liverpool’s captain Jordan Henderson and boss Jurgen Klopp
“You have to give a lot of credit to the players, who have been outstanding, but ultimately we all follow the manager. From day one since he came into Melwood, what he has done has been unbelievable from inside the club to outside it. I can’t express enough how much he has done for his football club since he has been here. Hopefully he is here for a long time yet and we can continue this journey together.”
Henderson signed with Liverpool FC from Sunderland in 2011 and has been Captaining the side since 2015. He has his foot and head involved in all four Liverpool titles under Klopp and has registered 337 appearances for the team. Liverpool was very close to seal the title in 2019 but lost to The Sky Blues by one point.
“We want more trophies and to stay with the same mentality and desire, which I have no question we will. I feel as through there is still more to come from this team. We have had an amazing year and that has just driven us to want more. Hopefully that will never change and I have got no doubt about that with the type of players we have and the mentality in the dressing room.”
The Reds can still shatter the Citizens record of 100 points set in 2018 under Pep Guardiola. Team Klopp has so far amassed 86 points with 28 victories, 2 draws and a single loss out of 31 games they played. At one stage of the season they stayed 25 points clear of the #2 on charts, a record in English top-flight. In numbers, their title win is the earliest on record at least in terms of numbers of games to be played. They could still post the record of most wins in a single season (pervious record is 32), register most home wins (18), most away triumphs (16) and set a biggest winning margin (19 pts).
Fans celebrating their club’s victory outside Anfield
“Now we are Premier League Champions, which was the goal at the start of the season, we have seven games left and we want to win all seven,” Henderson said.
“That’s not easy but that’s our mentality. If we can do that, you are talking about records and amounts of points. We can’t think too far ahead, which I don’t like doing. Our next game is a huge against City who are an amazing side.”
Alexander-Arnold added that setting the new records was a new motivation for the team.
“I think we have got a chance of that becoming real. The Points record is one that is difficult to beat, but I think if we can surpass that, then it will hopefully stand for a really long time.”
Despite social distancing restrictions crowds erupted outside the Anfield to celebrate their long due title on Thursday and Friday. However, they will not be able to support their club in the remaining games with fixtures happening behind closed doors.
“I can’t wait until that moment when we are reunited and together again and we can have some sort of celebration,” the skipper added.
“It is more to thank them for everything they have done for us as a team, as a club. Without them we wouldn’t be in the position.”
