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Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson sits down with Sky Sports’ Jamie Redknapp to discuss his 2020 ‘roller coaster’, lifting the Premier League title and his hopes for a ‘brighter’ 2021, in an exclusive Christmas interview.
Henderson entered 2020 as the winner of the Champions League and ends it as the Premier League champion. It has been a year like no other in terms of sporting achievements for the England international. But the coronavirus pandemic has ensured that it was not so easy for the 30-year-old.
Speaking to former Liverpool midfielder Redknapp, the Liverpool captain talks about:
- Lifting Liverpool’s first league title since 1990 without fans
- How the pandemic has put things in perspective
- The challenge of retaining the title for Liverpool
Sunday December 27 4:15 pm
Start 4:30 pm
How has this year been for you?
To be honest, it has been a roller coaster ride. On the one hand, I have achieved a dream that I have dreamed of all my life. But in the circumstances it was obviously different and everything that was happening in the outside world, people were suffering a lot, I understood that there are things more important than football. It’s been a roller coaster ride, but I still feel like a lot of positives have come out of it. I think we have learned a lot as people during this period and hopefully 2021 is a bit more positive and we can start to get back to normal.
What was it like when you finally got that trophy?
Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson lifts Premier League trophy
It was an amazing feeling. I think of course not having fans was a huge disappointment for us and for them. But at the end of the day, it was an incredible feeling to have the trophy in our hands and lifting that trophy that we had all wanted for so long was a truly special feeling and one that will live on with us forever.
How were the celebrations at the hotel when you found out that you were a PL champion?
It was a great night. It was nice to be together after being locked in for so long and it was nice to be together and eat something and watch Chelsea get the result against Manchester City. Fortunately, that night it was supposed to be that we won the league. It ended up being a really good night, I’m sure you’ve seen some of the videos, but it was a really special moment that we will remember forever again.
0:40
Liverpool players celebrated together in a hotel as they conquered the club’s first Premier League title
Have your achievements surpassed the dreams of your childhood?
Yes, of course, when I was a child I dreamed of playing in the Premier League, the Champions League and for England. So being able to do that is an honor anyway and it’s special for me to do what I do every day because I love it. But achieving what we have achieved in recent years – winning the Champions League, the Premier League, the Super Cup and the Club World Cup – has been truly incredible. The ride has been good so far I guess, there have been a lot of ups and downs, but I have enjoyed every minute and I hope there is much more to come. I look forward to what we can achieve in the future.
How much have you missed the fans?
Liverpool have seen fans return to Anfield after nearly nine months away
To be honest, even having a few thousand in the minute makes a huge difference. Seeing them when we first faced the Wolves was a really nice moment, so I can’t even imagine what it will be like when it’s full. We are all looking forward to it, we know what a huge role fans play and I think this pandemic has shown how important fans really are to the entire sport. Fingers crossed may be a little brighter in 2021 and we can keep all the fans coming back and I think that will make a huge difference for everyone involved in football. We are all looking forward to it.
How difficult will it be to retain the title for Liverpool?
Very difficult. I knew that would be the case. When you win a trophy, keeping it is even more difficult and I think it will be very difficult, but we knew that at the beginning of the season. There are other teams that are improving, playing well and will challenge until the end of the season, I’m sure. Obviously this season is a bit unique with what is happening with the pandemic. They are different circumstances, but at the end of the day it’s about us focusing on what we can control and that is training as hard as possible, staying focused on what we want to achieve and when we play we give it our all for the three points, and that’s what that we try and do in every game no matter what competition it is. That has put us in a good position in recent years, so we just have to keep going and see where we are at the end of the season.
Any New Years Resolution for 2021?
Nothing I’ve thought of so far. I think 2020 has put a lot of things in perspective, not just for me but for everyone who has suffered during the year. I think family and health is the most important thing, so in the future I just appreciate everything you have even more.
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