Jordan Henderson: Daniel Sturridge can provide fear factor for Liverpool
The midfielder also insisted England striker Sturridge has been hurt by the criticism he has received during his injury-hit season.
Sturridge opened the scoring in his first Premier League start since October as Liverpool thumped Aston Villa 6-0 on Sunday.
It was the first time the 26-year-old had started under Jurgen Klopp after a knee injury, foot issue and hamstring trouble and Henderson feels he gives the Reds an extra dimension.
“He definitely gives us that fear factor back. Any central defender playing against him will be wary,” he said.
“They know how quick he is, how sharp he is with the ball. He can cause anyone problems and I’m sure any centre-half in the world would be worried about coming up against him.
“I’ve known Studge for years and I am quite close to him.
“I have been with him a lot while he has been out.
“You have to understand he has been more frustrated than anyone at being out.
“There is a lot gets said about him outside of our group. I know it hurts him and I know it is hard for him to take.
“He is doing things to try and get back. He doesn’t want to be injured. He is more annoyed than anyone that he isn’t playing.
“But now he is back, he has got a smile on his face and he has been world class.”
James Milner, Emre Can, Divock Origi, Nathaniel Clyne, and Kolo Toure scored to condemn Villa to their biggest home defeat in 81 years.
Some of the Liverpool squad threw their shirts to the travelling supporters and Henderson said it was reward for their patience during the club’s ticket problems — with fans protesting over prices for next season, before the club backtracked.
“Over the last couple of weeks it has been a hard time and a frustrating time for the fans. The players appreciate that.
“Thankfully everything (with the tickets) is sorted now,” he said.
“The owners realised they made a mistake and changed it back and that is brilliant for the players because everyone can now just focus on winning games.”
Meanwhile, Schalke have announced their defender Joel Matip is to join Liverpool at the end of the season.
Matip will move on a free transfer when his current contract with the Bundesliga side expires this summer, and reports have suggested he is set to be on a four-year deal at Anfield.
In a statement on their official website yesterday afternoon, Schalke confirmed their efforts to convince the 24-year-old to stay had been in vain.
Chief executive Horst Heldt said: “We have since May last year had many intensive discussions, both with Joel and his advisor.
“It was soon clear that factors would be decisive for Joel’s decision that we ultimately could not influence.”
Schalke added in their statement: “Joel Matip has agreed to join Liverpool at the end of the season, and will not extend his contract at Schalke.
“The central defender will sign a new deal at the Premier League club.”
The German-born player, who can operate as a midfielder as well as at centre-back and has 27 Cameroon caps, came through Schalke’s youth set-up.
He made his Bundesliga debut at the age of 18, scoring in a 1-1 draw with Bayern Munich in November 2009, and has over 200 senior club appearances to his name.
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