Jordan: I'm enjoying positional challenge
Jordan Henderson returns to the Stadium of Light this afternoon insisting he'll have no qualms about which position he's in when the pre-match team sheet is pinned up – as long as he's on it.
Since Brendan Rodgers opted to implement a 3-4-3 formation at Manchester United in December, the 24-year-old has found himself switching between roles on the right and in the centre of midfield.
It is testament to both the ability and endurance of Henderson that he's been able to interchange berths with consummate ease - and he admits it's a challenge he takes enjoyment in.
Speaking to Liverpoolfc.com at Melwood, the vice-captain said: "I don't mind it. Within a game, your role changes within the team whatever position you play.
"If I am playing on the right, then obviously my role will change with certain jobs to do, but I like that - I like the challenge of playing in different positions for the team.
"Whatever the manager thinks is best on that particular day then that's the best way we can win the game. I have to make sure I am doing my job right and if I am, then hopefully I can help the team win games.
"My preparation is [always] the same, but within the game my role will change tactically.
"On the right, I have to get up and down a lot more. If I am in the centre it's a lot more controlled, but as I said, I enjoy playing in either."
Those preparations have been put into use to ready Henderson for a trip to Sunderland today.
It's a poignant fixture for the midfielder given he rose from the Black Cats' academy to first team before Liverpool swooped to secure his services in the summer of 2011.
It'll be the fourth occasion Henderson has returned to the Stadium of Light - and potentially the seventh time he'll have appeared against the Wearsiders for the Reds.
It's a fixture that still holds special personal significance for the England international.
"It does feel a little bit different," Henderson considered. "Obviously the more times you go back, the less different it is, but it still is a little bit [different]. I just try and focus on my job for the team, what we're there to do - and that is to get three points. That is all I'll be focused on.
"It is always good to go back up to the Stadium of Light to play. It's a great stadium with great fans, so it'll be a tough game for us. We found it difficult at home against them this season, so I am sure up there will be even more difficult.
"But we've had a good run over the Christmas period, so hopefully we can just pick that up again, get a good performance and hopefully the result will take care of itself."
Liverpool know from recent experience it won't be easy against Guy Poyet's men - Sunderland clinched a goalless draw at Anfield on December 6.
Henderson added: "They're a good team. I've watched them quite a bit this season and they're a hard team to beat. They've had a lot of draws this season, so it'll be a tough game.
"We know going up there we'll have to be in our best form and put in the kind of performances we have been as of late. If we can do that, then we can get a good result."
Liverpool journey to the north east on the back of a six-match unbeaten run in all competitions - a sequence made up of four wins and two draws.
The Reds are just seven points off fourth position in the Barclays Premier League table heading into the second half of the campaign, and Henderson insists the squad are in buoyant mood.
"The feeling and the confidence is starting to kick in," he said. "Today is a big game for us - if we can go there and get three points then it's another huge lift and will give us a little bit more momentum. We'll look forward to it and hopefully we can do the job.
"There's still a long way to go this season, still a lot to play for, especially in the league.
"We've got to keep fighting, keep working hard on the training field and putting in good performances. If we can do that then the results will come."