GETTY Jordan Henderson deserves Jurgen Klopp's backing

And the yet the most significant aspect of Liverpool’s fourth, and final, goal in the rout of the Spanish giants last Saturday had arguably come at source. It came with the sight of Jordan Henderson pouncing out of the shadows to ensure a duel with Andres Iniesta was settled in his own favour and, in an instant, turn defence into attack. Liverpool were 3-0 up at the time, a prestige friendly having reached it dying embers, but there was Henderson anxious to make a mark, unwilling to give an inch and eager to keep his team on the front foot. When Jurgen Klopp comes to select his line-up for Sunday’s Premier League opener at Arsenal, he should remember Henderson’s desire to make the difference and recall, too, one of the midfielder’s first contributions at the start of the second half. Then, it was Henderson’s determination to break into the penalty area in search of a goal that provided the pressure which led to Javier Mascherano putting through his own goal.

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That Henderson did not start at Wembley, Klopp preferring a midfield three of Emre Can, Adam Lallana and Georginio Wijnaldum, has raised the prospect of the England international missing out on a starting berth at The Emirates. Being Liverpool captain no longer brings with it any guarantees it seems. Yet after his annus horribilis last season, when injury repeatedly hampered his stride, Henderson deserves a break; a show of faith from Klopp even if sentiment is outdated in the modern game. He will know he needs to prove himself, that the manager seemingly harbours doubts having overlooked him in the Europa League Final against Sevilla back in May, but he will not shirk the battle of trying to smooth those misgivings away. All he needs is the opportunity. A lack of minutes at Euro 2016, he featured only in the goalless draw with Slovakia (and was England’s best player on the night), meant Henderson treated the competition as a chance to work on his fitness after the heel and knee problems that had scarred his campaign.

He reported to Liverpool’s tour of America with the bit between his teeth, bringing freshness and positivity and leading by example around the many youngsters in the squad. But it remains on the pitch where Henderson will crave the chance to make his presence truly felt and reveal himself to be a perfect fit for Klopp’s high-octane approach. He possesses the athleticism and the intelligence to hunt down rivals, he can be more dominant in his distribution and will know he needs to score more goals. Take his efforts to dart into the six yard box for Mascherano's own goal as evidence of an acceptance his output must increase. Henderson has faced down challenges in his Liverpool career before, notably when Brendan Rodgers was prepared to sell him to Fulham in 2012, and came through better and stronger.