Liverpool are ramping up the PR mission ahead of our pre-season fixtures in July, and have interviewed captain Jordan Henderson about the matches starting July, via the official website.
We’re playing four games on home soil against Wigan, Huddersfield, Fleetwood Town and Tranmere at the beginning of July, before embarking on a tour to America where we’ll face Chelsea and AC Milan, before heading back to England for a glamour tie with Barcelona at Wembley.
The skipper cannot wait for this clash especially, where he’ll hopefully be able to face former team-mate Luis Suarez, who left to join Barca two seasons ago.
In just 24 months, the Uruguayan sensation has scored 84 goals – two more than his Liverpool total – and established a reputation as the world’s best out and out centre-forward.
“You want to be playing against good teams in pre-season, to get you in the best shape and in the right mindset come the start of the season,” Henderson began.
“The teams we’re playing will be very good and it’ll put us in good condition come the first game.
“It’s really important that you have competitive games in pre-season; you don’t want it becoming a friendly match or a bit too easy. You’d rather it be a difficult game and more competitive, and I’m sure we’ll get that this pre-season.
“Obviously the Barcelona one will stand out to a lot of people. I think everybody will be looking forward to that one.
“It’ll be good to be playing against Luis [Suarez] again. I’ve always spoken very highly of him – he’s one of the best players in the world. It’ll be good to be on the same pitch as him again, but obviously on opposite teams.
“Pre-season is always good at Liverpool. Wherever you go, the fans are incredible – whether that’s Australia, America or anywhere. It’s brilliant.
“I’m sure it will be the same, if not better, this time. We’re going to some good places and playing some good teams, so everybody is looking forward to it.”
Henderson’s got Euro 2016 to worry about with England first, but his pre-season with Liverpool will actually be important. He couldn’t settle under Jurgen Klopp last term due to recurring injury problems, and with the emergence of Emre Can and probable central summer signings, the captain’s place in the starting XI is no longer assured.
His attitude is exceptional and we’d love him to re-find the form which earned him the armband in the first place, of course.