JORDAN HENDERSON insists Saturday’s crushing 3-1 defeat to Southampton doesn’t represent a terminal blow to Liverpool FC's hopes of qualifying for Europe.
The Reds’ run of three straight league wins was ended at St Mary’s as Brendan Rodgers’ side paid the price for a dismal performance.
As a result Liverpool slipped to seventh and are now five points adrift of fifth-placed Arsenal, who have a game in hand. However, Henderson believes the Reds are still playing for more than just pride.
“It was a big disappointment against Southampton but Europe’s not gone yet,” he said.
“We’ve still got eight games to play and that’s a lot of points to play for. We’ve still got to play some of the teams above us so we have to keep going.
“We have to pick ourselves up from this and ensure we respond positively against Aston Villa after the international break.”
Henderson has endured a frustrating spell with the £16million midfielder having to settle for cameo appearances off the bench.
But with Joe Allen set to undergo shoulder surgery over the coming weeks, the 22-year-old is hoping to force his way back into Rodgers’ first choice line up during the run-in.
“I’ve just got to keep working hard,” he said.
