Saturday 9 December 2017 08:24, UK
Jamie Redknapp admits he was surprised to see Jordan Henderson omitted from Liverpool's Champions League victory in midweek, but has backed the England international to bounce back in the "right way".
The Liverpool captain was left on the bench for Liverpool's crucial Champions League clash with Spartak Moscow on Wednesday, but his absence didn't affect the result as Jurgen Klopp's men ran riot in a 7-0 win.
Klopp leapt to the defence of his captain and is expected to include Henderson in his starting XI for Sunday's Merseyside derby clash with Everton, live on Sky Sports Premier League, and Redknapp believes Henderson will move on, should Klopp start his skipper.
"It [Liverpool captaincy] does weigh heavy on your shoulders because of all the great captains from the past," Redknapp said. "The likes of Phil Thompson and Graeme Souness, players who have won trophies for many, many years. I felt it. You feel a huge amount of responsibility and huge amount of pride.
"I was surprised to see him [Henderson] left out - you wouldn't see Steven Gerrard left out of a game like that. There may be a slight problem there, but I am a fan of Jordan Henderson, he is as honest as they come, and that is why he is captain.
"If he doesn't play at the weekend it is a different matter. If he does, then this issue will soon be forgotten and we will move on.
"Jordan is a big character, and I am sure he will respond in the right way. He keeps his counsel, I have met him a few times and he seems like a great guy. He just needs to keep his form up"
Everton travel across Stanley Park on Sunday looking for their first win at Anfield since 1999, but Redknapp feels Everton supporters may be disappointed come the final whistle.
"You look at that period since their last win, and Liverpool haven't always had great teams," Redknapp added. "There wasn't a period where they dominated the Premier League. It is hard to put your finger on why Everton have struggled at Anfield. There have been a couple of hidings in there too.
"I don't expect it to change this weekend. It is something that Sam Allardyce has to address - just be more competitive. It isn't a case of Liverpool having massively superior players, Everton have just been very poor on the big occasion."
