Jurgen Klopp admitted post-match that the Liverpool v Bayern Munich goalless draw was not a classic Champions League game – but was keen to highlight the performance of his captain.
In the absence of the colossal Virgil van Dijk, the Reds needed extra help in a defensive sense, with Fabinho drafted in alongside Joel Matip at the heart of the back-four.
It was Jordan Henderson, though, rather than either of the centre backs, that Klopp picked out for praise after the game.
He told BT Sport, via the Metro: “First of all a clean sheet without the big man [Virgil Van Dijk]: probably not a lot of people would have expected that, so that was very good.
“Defending in general was very good and of course, Hendo did a brilliant job in there. It was unbelievable how many balls he won back and stuff like that; it was a fantastic game from him.”
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Henderson was undoubtedly superb – even his harshest critics would agree – and it was a real captains performance. No one on the pitch won more tackles than he did.
Nonetheless, it will be a big boost to have Van Dijk available for the second leg.
The Reds have put themselves into a great position to progress – now the attention must turn to the second massive game of the week, which comes against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.