Jordan Henderson on Brentford lessons, Salah's 100 league goals and more
Jordan Henderson accepted there is 'a lot of room for improvement' after Liverpool had to settle for a point from a topsy-turvy 3-3 draw at Brentford.
The Reds trailed in the first half of the Premier League contest, then got themselves in front thanks to Diogo Jota’s header and Mohamed Salah’s 100th top-flight goal for the club.
After the Bees had levelled, Curtis Jones’ thump from outside the box put his team back ahead courtesy of a slight deflection, only for Yoane Wissa to equalise again and force a share of the spoils.
Post-match, Henderson reflected on the key moments of the game in an interview with Sky Sports. Read the captain’s verdict in full below…
On how the game felt to be involved in…
It was an intense game, we knew it would be. We knew it was a difficult place to come. They are a very intense team, they have shown they are capable of playing at this level so far. So, we knew it would be difficult coming here; the crowd, it was a great atmosphere. And they made it difficult for us, so you’ve got to give them credit. But from our side we’ll be disappointed. Going in the lead twice and not being able to see the game out is disappointing from our side, but we’ve got to try to take the positives and move on.
On missed chances being a key factor…
Yeah, I think at 2-1 up we had one or two big chances to finish the game off; I think if it goes 3-1 it’s a totally different game. But when you’re only one goal ahead it just still gives them that little bit of hope, they get a set-piece or a long ball into the box, and they managed to score the equaliser. That’s football sometimes, we’re very disappointed with the result in the end, but again like I said, you’ve got to give credit to Brentford, I thought they did well today.
On whether Liverpool expected Brentford’s level of intensity…
Yeah. Listen, we’re an intense team as well – we like high-intense games. But I think there’s a lot of room for improvement from us today, I thought at times it could be a lot better. But we stayed in the game early on, first half wasn’t great. Came out second half and performed better, [we] were controlling it a little bit better as well. But, unfortunately, just couldn’t hang on for the win.
On Jones’ goal…
It was a fantastic goal from Curtis. Unfortunately, we couldn’t hang on for that to be the winner.
On whether it was a missed opportunity after results elsewhere on Saturday…
Well, it was just a missed opportunity to get three points, that’s all we ever want to try to achieve, we’re not really looking at the league every game. We just want to win as many games as possible. We know the Premier League is difficult. Coming here, it’s difficult. But today I felt as though if we’d used our experience a little bit better we should have taken the three points.
On Salah’s 100th league goal for the club…
Incredible moment. He has been incredible ever since he came to the club. He is a fantastic lad, he works ever so hard off the training field, recovers properly, lives his life the right way to be ready every single game to perform every game. He gets his rewards for that, he’s been phenomenal. And hopefully he can just continue to do that for us this season and beyond.