Henderson reveals how position talks with Klopp help him refind his form

Jordan Henderson has revealed the anguish he wrestled with before having the summit with Jurgen Klopp that has reignited his season.

The Liverpool captain was man of the match in Tuesday's 2-0 win over Porto which put his team within touching distance of the Champions League semi-finals and he thrived being able to play in a more advanced position.

Henderson has sacrificed his natural inclination to get forward for Liverpool's benefit over the last 18 months but it was after his cameo performance in Montenegro with England last month that he felt compelled to ask Klopp for meeting.

This was not a showdown, by any means, but Henderson felt compelled to tell Klopp he could be better utilised in a more forward-thinking position and Liverpool's manager has responded by giving the 28-year-old the licence to attack. Triggering that conversation, however, was no easy task.

'It's difficult to do that,' said Henderson. 'As a captain and as a player at this football club, I always put the team first. I do whatever the manager tells us to do really. But when we had the conversation I felt that I could speak my mind. I felt I could play further forward in that role.

'In the last couple of years there hasn't really been a player like Fabinho in that role so I've had to adapt to that role. I think I've done quite well. I think if you look at Fab, it's quite natural to him, that's his position and he's so good at what you need to do in that position.

'I just thought that might give me a bit more licence to get forward more at times but you never know. Me and the gaffer just had a conversation. He saw the England games, I felt good in playing in that position but he said it was something that he said he would think about.

'I can do both positions and he sees that I can do both. It's basically what he wants and he needs from the team. I felt more comfortable and natural in that position for England, creating chances further up and doing what I enjoy doing. If I need to play there, I can do the job.'

The most striking aspect of Henderson's performance against Porto was how instinctive and natural things seemed for him. When he signed for Liverpool in 2011, he was viewed as being all-action and he insists none of that attacking spark has been lost.

'I want to keep contributing to the team,' said Henderson, who scored his first goal in 19 months at Southampton last Friday. 'When I play in that advanced position I feel as though I can make a difference going forward as well.'