Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson has urged the team to keep winning rather than get sidetracked by sad farewells from teammates.
The Reds’ Saturday match against Aston Villa will be their final one at home, and supporters will honor a departing quartet of stars during the contest. James Milner, Naby Keita, Roberto Firmino, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will all depart the team at the end of the current campaign.
Brazilian striker Firmino, 31, will make his first appearance in a month when manager Jurgen Klopp confirmed he will make a late appearance from the bench in his final game at Anfield. When Firmino’s name was sung for extended stretches during Leicester’s 3-0 victory on Monday night, the crowd showed their admiration for the Premier League and Champions League champion.
Henderson believes the star deserves the heartfelt tribute, but that Klopp’s fifth-place team must also secure their eighth straight victory.
The Reds captain hopes to maintain pressure on Newcastle and Manchester United above them in the race for the top four until the final game against relegated Southampton.
The 32-year-old veteran midfielder Henderson reflected, saying, “Bobby is a big part of the squad and an amazing guy. It will be difficult to see him and the other boys leave because they will all be missed.
“However, the game itself always takes precedence, and we’ll do everything in our power to win. Then, after that, whatever occurs, that is what matters most.
“The three points on Saturday are what we’re aiming for. With two games left, we have work to finish up for the upcoming two weeks before saying our final good-byes.
“We just need to focus on what we need to do, which is to win the next two games, and then we’ll see where we stand at the end of the season.”
Liverpool’s victory at Leicester gave reason for hope despite the fact that several seasoned players are getting ready to leave.
Midfielder Curtis Jones, 22, was one of the standout performers. He scored two goals with precision to make it three goals in as many games.
While Liverpool was in possession, Trent Alexander-Arnold stood out as he moved into midfield and curled in a goal to make it 3-0.
Despite a lackluster season that included crushing losses to Napoli, Brighton, Wolves, Real Madrid, and Manchester City, victory ensured European football for the upcoming season.
Henderson, who is under contract until 2025, claims that the team’s recent success has given them a lot of hope and momentum for the upcoming season.
He insisted, “We have had some issues this year for a variety of reasons, but we have shown over the last few successful weeks that we are still a very good team. We are still capable of giving our best effort and consistently winning games.
“Hopefully we can continue to do that over the course of the next two games and into the upcoming campaign. That is the strategy. There are a few boys leaving, and I have no doubt that there will be some boys joining.
“As a result, it’s important for us to be prepared during the preseason. However, the focus right now is on the two games that are still left.”
