Henderson: Why I cannot rest
Jordan Henderson has spoken of his determination to take his game up another level.
Though he has not featured as often this season, the England U21 captain's performances when picked have been of a high standard.
He played six consecutive games for the Reds in January and netted against Norwich and then Arsenal - and Brendan Rodgers this week hailed his attitude and form by insisting: "I know I can always call on him."
Henderson told Liverpoolfc.com: "It means a lot to hear that. But I can't rest, I've got to keep working hard.
"The manager has good contact with everyone. He speaks to all the players and tells them what he expects of them. He's good like that - he'll speak to players.
"It's up to the manager and what team he picks but I've got to make sure that I make it difficult for him to leave me out of the team.
"When I'm training, I need to make sure that I am on it every day and I need to make sure that I play well out on the pitch and stay in the team. Given the opportunity, I need to make sure that I take it."
The 22-year-old has now spent nearly two years on Merseyside since joining the club from his hometown side Sunderland in June 2011.
"I think I've grown since then," insisted Henderson. "I've definitely grown as a person and I've improved as a player as well.
"Even though I might not have had as much game time this season as I did in my first season, I feel as though in the games I have played I have done well.
"I think you can see the improvement in my game. That's pleasing, but I need to make sure that I keep improving."
With Joe Allen out for the rest of the season after undergoing shoulder surgery, Henderson will hope to feature in our remaining eight league games - starting with a trip to Villa Park on Sunday.
The midfielder wants Liverpool to banish memories of defeat to Southampton by rekindling the sort of form that saw them beat Swansea, Wigan and Tottenham in consecutive league games.
"I think we need to go back to doing what we were doing so well before the Southampton game," he said.
"We need to get back to playing the way we did against Tottenham, Wigan and Swansea. In those games we pressurised the ball and kept the ball really well.
"We defended from the back right through to the front. If we go back to those games that we were doing so well in, and focus on what we did there, then we can push on and get the results we want."