Jürgen Klopp: Jordan Henderson will play through the pain barrier for Liverpool FC
Jürgen Klopp knows he can rely on Jordan Henderson to play through the pain barrier as his captain seeks to push his side on in the second half of the season.
The Liverpool captain returns to his hometown club on Wednesday night as the Reds travel to the Stadium of Light to face a Sunderland team languishing in 19th in the Premier League.
If the midfielder plays it will be his fifth consecutive start in just 20 days after returning from three months out with a troublesome heel injury and a broken bone in his foot.
His injury against Bournemouth in August and subsequent absence was all the more difficult for Henderson to take given he has been one of the club’s most ever presents during his four full seasons at Anfield. In that time his games played totals have reached 48, 44, 40 and then a whopping 54 games last season. He is closing in on 200 appearances for Liverpool.
'Pain up to seven - no problem'His heel injury is an ongoing complaint which is being closely monitored by the club’s medical staff, and his manager believes rhythm is more important than rest for Henderson.
Klopp said: “We always talk and always speak to Hendo and it’s up to him. Together we will decide.
“I know he is a player where pain up to seven - no problem.
“But we have to work together with Andy (Massey, doctor) and Chris (Morgan, physio).
“We try to give him time but he’s also a player who needs rhythm.
“While everything is okay we say ‘yes it’s okay’ and I think we should give him time to play.
“How much we shall see but we are very interested in having him in the team but it’s not a problem to change some positions for some games.”
Liverpool Echo.Now to me that is suggesting he was going into this game carrying the injury.