Klopp praises 31-year-old Liverpool star for ‘stepping up’ against Manchester City

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Jurgen Klopp has praised Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson for “stepping up” in the 2-2 draw against Manchester City.

The clash at the Etihad Stadium between the Premier League’s heavyweights was played at a ferocious pace.

The tempo was relentless and the intensity both sets of players brought with their pressing, hassling and harrying made the game a captivating watch for the neutrals.

At times in the first half, it looked like Liverpool were in danger of letting the game go beyond them, but they managed to get in at half-time only 2-1 down.

Klopp wasn’t unhappy with side’s first-half performance but he knew there was scope for improvement in the second half.

Speaking via the club’s website about what he said during the 15-minute interval, the German said: “Not unhappy, but I knew we could improve. It is not that I went in and said, ‘How can we do that?’ I know how intense it is.

“The concentration level in these games is incredible, to be honest. I have said now a couple of times, it is like two boxers, two heavyweights, and in the moment you put your arms down you get such a knock in the middle of your face and then you have to get up again, to try to get control again, and that’s what happened.

“What we said at half-time – and what we said before the game already – was [about] the way we have to defend because we had to be there [and] more braver in these moments.

“Hendo did exceptionally well stepping up in these situations.”

Henderson’s all-action and high-energy display led the way for the rest of his teammates to follow.

The 31-year-old remains a driving and influential force in Klopp’s side and his place in the starting line-up in the big matches is practically guaranteed.

With Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final against Pep Guardiola’s side to come and a Champions League final meeting between the two sides potentially on the horizon, Henderson will undoubtedly be Klopp’s go to man and leader.