Johnson: I feel like my old self again
Glen Johnson has revealed how a month spent recuperating on the sidelines helped him return to the Liverpool line-up feeling stronger than ever.
After appearing against Aston Villa on January 18, Johnson missed the following six games before being reintroduced for the Swansea City clash in late February.
The full-back played 90 minutes as the Swans were edged 4-3 at Anfield. He then completed both 3-0 victories on the road against Southampton and Manchester United.
Johnson told Liverpoolfc.com: "It feels good to be back. No player wants to be missing matches through injury. I feel myself again.
"I was playing for a few months with niggling injuries and things that were stopping me from putting in performances that I'm used to. It was a hard time and frustrating but I feel better for it now.
"Everyone will play through pain every week; you probably never play a football match feeling 100 per cent.
"That just doesn't happen these days. But in terms of having injuries that are stopping you from playing to the best of your ability, that's hard to take.
"When people see you playing, they assume you're fit, and then when you don't put in the performances that you are used to, people are wondering why. But it's part and parcel of the game, and you've just got to get through those periods."
Johnson's return has coincided with Liverpool rising to second place in the Barclays Premier League table - four points behind leaders Chelsea, with a game in hand on the London side.
Back-to-back away triumphs at St Mary's and Old Trafford, both earned by impressive displays from brendan Rodgers' men, mean spirits are running sky-high at Melwood, according to the Reds' No.2.
"It is a good time," explained Johnson. "We're in a good position in the league and playing well. Everyone involved in the club is enjoying it at the moment.
"We have worked very hard to be able to put in performances like the one against United. To do that against one of your biggest rivals is a great achievement, a good day for everyone involved and a great three points.
"Every game you win, it's three points, and that is the key thing for us at the moment - to keep chipping away, getting the victories.
"We've got plenty of games left in the league at the moment, so that's our priority, that's what we've got to work for and try to pick up as many of the three points as we can."