Henderson raises Reds' sights higher

Brendan Rodgers has guided his team to fourth place in the Barclays Premier League after 27 games, with a six-point cushion in Champions League qualification and having scored more goals than any other.

Last season's finish in seventh position has been used as yardstick for progress in the Northern Irishman's second season at the helm, with the Reds comfortably on course to improve in that regard.

Henderson believes the squad can approach the remaining 11 fixtures, beginning with a trip to Southampton on Saturday evening, with new targets courtesy of their high levels of confidence.

Speaking to Sky Sports, the No.14 also discussed his personal performances and ambitions to be selected for the World Cup this summer. Here are the best bits of the midfielder's interview... 

On the Reds' form so far in 2013-14...

Throughout the season we have been pretty consistent with our performances. We've been doing really well, we keep on progressing every single week and I think we're improving all the time. We're in a good position at the minute. There's still a long way to go, but I think we can finish the season on a high. It just shows how well we've done; before the season, I don't think many people would have thought we'd be right up there at the top. But we've worked really well together and worked hard on the training pitch. It seems to be coming together on a weekend. Hopefully, we can carry on doing that. There's a lot of confidence in the side, so we're just looking forward to playing football in every game.

On the side's targets for the rest of the season...

You've just got to take each game as it comes - that's the most important thing. There are 11 games left and every single one of them we'll treat as vital and like a cup final. We're motivated to finish the season off on a high and hopefully we can do that. We always want to progress as a team, so finishing higher than last season is obviously progression. But, at the same time, I think we've done so well throughout the season that we can set our sights even higher. We're all quietly confident that we can definitely finish the season on a high. Everybody wants Champions League football and that was our aim at the start of the season. We've been doing really well and if we finish the season well, you never know.

On the growing team spirit in the squad...

The coaching staff have got a part to play in that. The manager and the coaches and everybody involved have been fantastic in that sense - they want training at a very high tempo. The players have really bought into that as well. Every day in training, everybody wants to win and nobody likes losing. It's great to be a part of that togetherness. I think you have seen that sort of attitude over the last few weeks, when we have gone in the lead or gone behind and come back. You've got to have that if you're going to be right up at the top of the Premier League. Hopefully, we can keep that spirit going, the fight in us, and keep wanting to win games with that desire.

On the win over Swansea...

It was really important that we won the game. I just happened to be in the right place at the right time, thankfully. It was an important win for us - it keeps the confidence going and the winning mentality going.

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On his own improvement...

I've worked really hard on the training field with the coaches and the players. I've just always tried to do my best and improve all the time. That's all I ever want to do - try to improve all areas and get better. I want to continue in that direction and hopefully I can keep doing that. First and foremost, you've got to do a job for Liverpool, and that's the main priority. It's every player's dream to be playing in a World Cup and I'm no different. I'd obviously love to go, but to be given a chance I've got to finish the season well.

On being selected for Roy Hodgson's latest England squad...

It's important - if you're in the squad for the Denmark game, you can show what you can do in training and hopefully get some game time as well, to show what you can do and show that you want to go to the World Cup in the summer. I'm sure that will be a big plus for anybody that's part of it.

On Daniel Sturridge...

He has been brilliant since he came to the club, he has scored some really important goals and is improving all the time. He's got a great attitude and wants to score as many goals as he can for the team. He has been doing that, so hopefully he can continue to do that. He has been a great addition.

On Raheem Sterling...

Raheem has been fantastic. Over the last few weeks you've seen just how good he is. He's still quite young, but you can see the maturity in his play and the way that he goes about things. He's a top player; if he continues to work at the same level and keep progressing, I'm sure he'll be one of England's great players.

On Steven Gerrard...

Stevie has been brilliant, as he is all the time. He has changed his position now and again, playing a bit deeper at times, but he has been fantastic. His passing is outstanding and that's really helped us in games.

On Luis Suarez...

Luis is a good character to have in the dressing room and brilliant on the training pitch. He works really hard. He has been setting the goals up in the last few weeks, but hopefully he can get on the scoresheet at the weekend.