Jordan
Henderson says the guard of honour Liverpool will give Chelsea on Sunday
will inspire the Reds to launch a title bid of their own next season.
Jose Mourinho's side won the Premier League title with victory over Crystal
Palace last weekend and when they run out again at Stamford Bridge, the
visitors are expected to offer their congratulations, as has become the
tradition over recent years.
Henderson admits it will be "difficult" for Liverpool, who were runners-up
last season but have not been in the title race this time around, to applaud
their rivals.
But he feels it will serve as inspiration for a team who go into the game
fifth in the table and with a place in next season's Champions League
looking increasingly unlikely.
"You have to respect the team because they have been the best team over the
season," said the Reds’ vice-captain.
"Of course, it will be difficult doing that but you have to pay your
respects.
"If that (guard of honour) does happen, you have to remember the feeling
that it is what we want to achieve.
"You have to bottle that and make sure next season we can have a really good
go and use it as motivation and drive to push on."
By the time Liverpool arrive in west London, their top-four hopes could have
diminished further if Manchester United have won at Crystal Palace 24 hours
earlier.
It would mean the gap before kick-off would be seven points, necessitating a
victory at a ground where they have lost 12 of their last 18 league
meetings.
Henderson feels Liverpool have the character to get results against their
top-four rivals.
"I felt we did well at their place in the Capital One Cup - and here
(Anfield) - against them," he added.
"Both legs I felt we performed well and probably deserved to go through but
at the end of the day, they went through and eventually won it.
"When we go back there, we have to play the same way we did the last time we
were there and if we do, we have a good chance of getting something out of
the game."
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