Henderson: I've been waiting for this all summer!

This morning's return to pre-season training was a moment Jordan Henderson had been anticipating all summer.

The Liverpool captain was part of the group of players who kicked off preparations for the new campaign by undergoing tests and drills at Melwood.

It was a day to savour for the midfielder, who was sidelined for the final three months of last season with a foot injury as the Reds secured fourth place in the Premier League.

And amid the physical examinations ongoing at the training ground, Henderson revealed just how much he had been looking forward to the occasion.

“I’ve probably been waiting longer than everybody else,” the skipper told Liverpoolfc.com.

“They have been enjoying the break but I’ve been dying to get back into it because I missed the end of last season. That was disappointing but I’m very positive and dying to get back into the swing of things this pre-season.

“I’m looking forward to the hard work. I’m just glad to be back on the pitch, running and playing football, that’s the main thing.

“Hopefully I can stay fit. We’ve got a couple of hard weeks ahead of us to get ready for the start of the season.

“I’ve been waiting for a long time to get back on the first day. I was excited to get out there this morning. Now we’re in the swing of things, I’m looking forward to training and getting as fit as I can, ready for the new season.”
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“I managed to train throughout the whole time and really enjoyed it. I’m looking forward to now getting started properly,” the No.14 explained.

“There has been a few of us that have had to work hard during the summer to try to get back as quickly as possible, so some of us can get back for the first day or maybe in a week or two.

“It has been all go during the summer. I’m glad to be back training with the lads on the first day.”