Henderson targets regular Reds role

By Mike Whalley

Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson has vowed to give manager Brendan Rodgers a selection headache after forcing his way back into the Reds' starting line-up.

GettyImagesJordan Henderson scored a stunner in a game which showed his true potential

Henderson, 22, was signed from Sunderland for £16 million in 2011 by Rodgers' predecessor Kenny Dalglish and made 31 Premier League starts last season, however he has struggled for games this term.
The England international did not make a Premier League start under Rodgers until November 25, when he was picked for the 0-0 draw at Swansea, but has started three of Liverpool's last four league games, and struck the opening goal in last Saturday's 5-0 demolition of Norwich at Anfield.
That was Henderson's first league goal of the season, and only his third for the club - but despite competing with Joe Allen and Jonjo Shelvey for places in midfield alongside Steven Gerrard and Luca Leiva, he is determnined to make it difficult for Rodgers to leave him out.
"I think we've got a lot of good players in the team so it's a headache every week for him - and that's a good thing," Henderson told the Liverpool Echo. "It makes everyone push on in training and try to improve, so if we keep playing like that, we'll be all right."
Henderson feels that he has been given more space to make an impression following striker Daniel Sturridge's introduction to the team.
Sturridge, brought in from Chelsea for £12 million at the start of the month, has formed an effective front three with Luis Suarez and Stewart Downing.
And Henderson added: "They're world-class players and there's a lot of movement in front of me. They're always available to give the ball to so it makes it easier for the midfielders.
"Daniel is a really talented player. He's scored a few goals and played well too. He's a big plus for us and he just needs to keep working hard and keep going forward."
Victory over Norwich lifted Liverpool to seventh, their highest Premier League position of the season, and Henderson hopes to go higher, adding: "The top four is a realistic aim, but we just have to take each game as it comes, keep chipping away as we have been and hopefully get a good finish to the season."