Henderson's hope in new-look formation
Liverpool's recent tactical switch to a different formation can help the team maintain an upturn in their standard of performance, according to vice-captain Jordan Henderson.
Brendan Rodgers again deployed a 3-4-3 shape for the visit of Arsenal yesterday and watched his players produce a display worthy of much more than a late 2-2 draw.
The Reds were intense in their pressing, crisp in their passing and creative going forward throughout the meeting with the Gunners, dominating in almost every department.
They launched 27 shots to the Londoners' seven and recorded 63.5 per cent possession against an outfit that thrives on using and keeping the ball from opponents.
"We have looked good in that formation," Henderson told the Liverpool Echo after Sunday's encounter. "It's been good so far and we'll keep working on it.
"It's a new position for Raheem [Sterling] in that central role but he's been outstanding with his movement, getting on the ball and causing teams problems.
"Hopefully he will continue to get better and better. We've got players like Daniel Sturridge to come back to give us a lift in January and we all know we need to kick on."
He continued: "It's pleasing that the performance levels are much better. You can feel that intensity returning, with getting the ball back and pressuring high up the pitch.
"The passing, the movement and the penetration in behind is also better. It's such an important time of the year with so many points up for grabs.
"Hopefully we can keep building on it and keep picking up points. We're getting back to the levels we know we can play at. If we keep playing like that, then the results will follow."
Henderson was involved in the opener past Arsenal at Anfield, cutting in from the right flank and teeing up Philippe Coutinho to drill a fine effort off the post and home.
Arsene Wenger's charges struck back twice to take the lead, though, through a Mathieu Debuchy header and Olivier Giroud's finish at the conclusion of a counter-attack.
Nevertheless, the Reds pushed for an equaliser until the final moments - despite a stoppage-time red card to Fabio Borini - and earned their rewards when Martin Skrtel powered in with 97 minutes on the clock.
"We showed a lot of character to keep going after the red card and in the end we got the goal," Henderson reflected on a dramatic contest.
"It was a great delivery from Adam Lallana and a brilliant header from Martin Skrtel. It would have been devastating to lose the game 2-1. A point was the least we deserved.
"In the end, you have to be pleased with a point, but I thought over the course of the game we should have got all three. The performance level was really good.
"We dominated with the ball and we created chances. It was just frustrating that we didn't take them. We have got to keep the performance level like that. If we do that, then the results will come."