Henderson: World champions sounds very nice

Jordan Henderson spoke of his pride in becoming world champions after Liverpool claimed their third piece of silverware in 2019 after defeating Flamengo 1-0 in the final of the World Club Cup in Qatar on Saturday evening.

The Reds captain played a key part in the winning goal with a defence splitting pass to Sadio Mane who then laid it off to Roberto Firmino who expertly slotted it past Diego Alves in the Flamengo goal in the ninth minute of the extra time period.

It was the second time that the Brazilian had been the match winner in the tournament having also scored the decisive goal against Monterrey on Wednesday evening.

Once again the focus and mentality of the Reds came to the fore in a match played in gruelling conditions with a number of baffling decisions made by the referee Abdulrahman Al Jassim and dubious antics from the Brazilian side.

Speaking after the game to the Official site, Henderson said the tag of World Champions had a “very nice” ring to it. 

He also said ability to keep going until the end was the difference in the tight contest.

“I’m delighted that we’ve come here and done what we wanted to do and that’s win. We’ve had two tough games with extra-time but I thought the lads kept going and showed a great mentality again to find the winner.

“We had some great chances in the game but always kept going and always kept fighting and tried to find the breakthrough, so I’m delighted that we’ve managed to do that and keep the clean sheet.”

Henderson said that the team must now use the confidence form this latest triumph as a catalyst in the quest for more honours during the second half of the season.

“ From the summer we’ve kicked on again.

“We’ve kept going and we’ve used it to help us progress and used it to stay hungry. So we need to do the same with this one.

“We need to keep going, we’ve got a big game coming up in midweek and the games come thick and fast, so of course we can enjoy tonight but then tomorrow we’ve got to recover and get straight back on the focus of Leicester.”

Jürgen Klopp echoed his captains thoughts after the game with ESPN reporting his great pride.

“ I struggle to find the right words, to express my respect for the boys.

“ It was incredible, we did so many good things, everyone was on the edge pretty much and there were so many sensational, good performances.

“ I said before I didn't know how it would feel (to win it) and now I can say -- it's outstanding.”