Friendship on hold again as Meyler battles mates

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Four weeks ago at the KC Stadium the Corkman regained the lead for the Tigers on their way to a vital 3-1 victory over title-chasers Liverpool. Both of his former Sunderland team-mates Henderson and Mignolet get their chance to avenge that defeat in today’s rematch, a game Meyler should return from a knee injury for.

“I had already invited Jordan around to my house before our home game against them,” explained the 24-year-old Ireland international.

“He did turn up but wouldn’t talk to me!

“Liverpool had expected to beat us that day but we fully deserved the victory. After a while, when we’d gone out to a restaurant for food, Jordan gradually came around and we were mates again.

“Simon [Mignolet] is another friend of mine from our Sunderland days, but I got the better of him that day. They weren’t the only people I know annoyed with that goal. Most of my friends are Liverpool fans, as was I growing up, yet they forgave me.”

Meyler’s friendship with Henderson dates back to 2008 when they emerged at the same time from the Sunderland reserves into the first-team under the management of Roy Keane.

Bruce partnered the duo in the Black Cats midfield for an extended period in 2010, subsequently claiming their ascent avoided the club forking out millions on new recruits.

In fact, both graduates went on to net Sunderland substantial transfer income when fresh challenges elsewhere caught their fancy.

Despite Henderson struggling initially to vindicate the €25mLiverpool splashed out on him, he slowly settled to the task by becoming a regular fixture in Brendan Rodgers’ new-look side. His Irish pal, Meyler, was sure of Henderson’s top-flight pedigree from the outset – going so far to insist the 23-year-old is on course to captain his country.

“Jordan had a first tough season at Liverpool, as happens sometimes when a player moves to such a big club,” said Meyler.

“The England fans booed him during an international match too, which I found surprising because that would never happen in Ireland. Jordan has shown what a top player he is and I’ve no doubt he’ll not only be an England regular, but also their captain.”

Another playmaker gracing Anfield today who is craving England recognition is Meyler’s Hull team-mate Tom Huddlestone. After guiding the Tigers to promotion last season, Meyler faced competition to keep his place in the engine-room when Bruce invested in Huddlestone and Jake Livermore from Tottenham Hotspur.

Both buys have been revelations since moving to Humberside – with the Hull boss eventually finding room in the midfield for Meyler alongside the pair.

“I’m a competitive person, so I was glad when two such top midfielders were signed in the summer,” said the Leesider.

“It’s always good to have that competition. Tom has an incredible range of passes and Jake’s workrate is unbelievable. These are players you want at your club and I’ve enjoyed playing alongside them.”

Meanwhile Reds captain Steven Gerrard could make his return to action today.

Gerrard, who has sat out Liverpool’s last four games after sustaining a hamstring problem in a win over West Ham on December 7, has been back in training and his condition is being assessed ahead of the fixture.

Joe Allen (abductor) has been ruled out for “a few weeks” and Mamadou Sakho (hamstring) also looks set to miss a number of matches, but Jordan Henderson is expected to be fit despite feeling sore after Sunday’s defeat at Chelsea, while the on-loan Victor Moses is available again after being ineligible for the meeting with his parent club.