LIVERPOOL FC v Manchester United. FA Cup fourth round day. Up to 45,000 supporters packed inside Anfield.

For many, to step out into such an arena would be the stuff of fairytales.

And Jordan Henderson admits that, seven months into his Liverpool career, he continues to live the dream.

Eyebrows were raised when Kenny Dalglish sought to invest £18million by taking England under-21 international Henderson from Sunderland last summer.

Having broken into Fabio Capello’s senior reckoning the previous campaign, the midfielder was already being touted as a potential long-term international.

But potential was the key word; at 21, Henderson was not the finished article. And that price tag weighed heavily on the youngster during the opening weeks of his Liverpool career.

However, slowly but surely, Henderson has started to win over the critics, particularly after being shifted more often from the right wing into a more accustomed central midfield role.

Such has been Dalglish’s trust in his talents, Henderson has played more games than any other outfield player this season.

Indeed, when the fingers started to point at the manager’s signings in the wake of last weekend’s dismal defeat at Bolton Wanderers, Henderson was largely absolved of blame.

That result, allied to the goalless home draw to Stoke City, has increased the pressure on a pivotal few days for Liverpool that continues with Saturday’s visit of United.

But Henderson says: “Every week is important for us. It doesn’t matter which side you are playing, you are expected to win and play well every single game.