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Captain Jordan Henderson believes the return of Daniel Sturridge will help ensure Liverpool maintain momentum over the festive period.

The Reds midfielder saluted Sturridge for the “bit of magic” he produced to create Sadio Mane’s last-gasp winner at Goodison on Monday night.

Sturridge, who had missed the previous five matches with a calf injury, made the difference after coming off the bench in the closing stages.

Asked about the importance of having Sturridge back at a crucial stage of the campaign, Henderson said: “It’s massive.

“Both him and Emre (Can) coming on - two brilliant players coming back from injury - shows the squad depth.

“I thought they were brilliant when they came on.

“I am sure the Everton players looking at those two coming on wouldn’t have enjoyed that last 15 minutes. They wouldn’t have liked seeing those two come on.

“Daniel came up with a bit of magic for the goal and he is a huge player for us.”

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Liverpool’s current tally of 37 points is their joint second highest total after 17 matches in the Premier League era. They sit six points adrift of leaders Chelsea as Jurgen Klopp’s men prepare for the home clash with Stoke City on December 27 - the first of three league matches in the space of six days.

The Reds will lose Mane to the Africa Cup of Nations following the trip to Sunderland on January 2. Henderson admits the Senegal international will be missed after such an impressive start to his Anfield career but he believes Klopp’s squad will cope in his absence.

“I always knew that he was a good player,” Henderson added.

“I had watched him at Southampton and could tell what he was like from playing against him. But since he has come up here, he has gone up another level.

“That is credit to the manager for helping him improve. It is also credit to him for wanting to improve. He has been fantastic for us this season and he will be a big miss when he goes away with Senegal.

“But we have got players who can step in and we will deal with it. Whoever takes his place, it is up to them to carry on his work.”