Liverpool are set to play in front of a capacity Anfield crowd for the first time since March 2020 as Burnley visit L4 for a Premier League clash this lunchtime.
In his programme column, the captain outlines his anticipation for a sold-out stadium, echoes the messages delivered by Jürgen Klopp and Kop Outs this week, and pays tribute to Andrew Devine, the 97th supporter unlawfully killed in the Hillsborough disaster.
“I wasn’t fortunate enough to be at Carrow Road last weekend,” writes Henderson. “However, I watched on the TV and spoke to the boys immediately after and one of the recurring themes was how amazing it was to finally have supporters back in for real.
“We experienced fans at Anfield for the two friendlies recently and it was a sensational feeling to have that energy, noise and colour back in all its glory. But for Norwich the dynamic was different: there were away supporters for the first time.
“You could tell from the reaction of our players that it made a massive impact. Yes, the travelling Reds were heavily outnumbered, but they weren’t out-sung.
“One of the many things I love about our fans, be it home or away, is that by and large they focus their songs and chants on supporting us. The Bobby Firmino song was incessant after our second goal, as was the ‘Egyptian King’ chant. I think it differentiates our support from a lot of others.
“I’ve always found it odd when fans spend the majority of the game singing about an opposition team or an individual they don’t like.
“Trust me, as a player the positive energy towards us makes much more of a difference compared to hatred against an opponent. And it’s on this theme that I must address the one disappointment to come from the Norwich trip.
“Again, I was watching on TV so I didn’t hear first-hand the abuse that was aimed towards Billy Gilmour on the basis of his association with Chelsea. But after the game I did see that our LGBT+ fans group, Kop Outs, had rightly highlighted and condemned the singing as homophobic. This was quickly supported by the club and other influential groups, including Spirit of Shankly.
“I won’t repeat what the exact chant is, but I think most – if not all – reading this will know what I’m referring to. On behalf of the team I want to reiterate what the club has said and show complete solidarity with Kop Outs and all football supporters who believe our club and this game must be a welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone.
“This club is synonymous with support and this is because the difference our fans have made on and off the pitch is stamped all over our history and our achievements.
“Because of this, it wouldn’t normally make any sense for me or any of the lads to try to tell our supporters what to sing or, more specifically, what not to sing. But the chant referred to above is the exception.
“It doesn’t help us as a team, it doesn’t focus on ourselves, it doesn’t lift the players and it doesn’t help our reputation as a club. It’s wrong and it needs to stop. It makes our LGBT+ fans feel marginalised and unwelcome. We know this because they have told us. The least we can do is listen to them, understand and act.
“Finally, today we will pay tribute to Andrew Devine, the 97th Liverpool supporter to lose his life as a result of the Hillsborough tragedy and someone who the lads got to know from his visits to Melwood and coming to games at Anfield.
“Andrew was an incredible person, someone who fought for 32 years against injuries that had been expected to end his life much sooner than he did. Remembering him is a responsibility for everyone who holds Liverpool Football Club dear, but I would also ask that supporters also think of his family, especially his parents, given everything they have been through since April 15, 1989.
“I don’t have the vocabulary to put into words my respect for them, but I hope they know how much we all think of them and also that they have our total support.
“Knowing that people in this city and beyond are still suffering due to Hillsborough is heart-breaking, but all we can do is carry on being there for each other as best we can.”