Liverpool FC: Jordan Henderson ready for a battle at Mansfield

JORDAN HENDERSON has told his Liverpool team-mates to prepare themselves for a battle at Mansfield Town on Sunday – saying the Reds must match the non-league side for desire.

The Reds travel to the One Call Stadium on Sunday afternoon for a third round tie with the Conference outfit.

Henderson (left) has never played at the home of the Stags but knows exactly the type of game that awaits Liverpool and expects they will walk into a red-hot atmosphere.

The 22-year-old, who received a deserved ovation from the Anfield crowd on Wednesday night, says Mansfield will be treating the weekend’s game like their Cup final.

Henderson says Liverpool must do the same in order to avoid any embarrassment.

“It’ll be a tough game for us,” said the former Sunderland man.

“It won’t be a pushover.

“We will have to go there with the right mentality and do a good job.

“It’ll be different to what we’re used to in the Premier League. But you always have different challenges in football. If we play like we are, then we can get a positive result.

“It’ll be the biggest game for many of those Mansfield players. They’ll be really up for it. It’ll be a cup final for them, so we have to treat it as a cup final for us and we do the job properly.

“We’ll have to adapt to the situation. I’m sure all the players will have played at small stadiums like that before, and it’ll be a good atmosphere. It’ll be noisy. We have to make sure we are on it from the very start and try to keep the home fans quiet.”

Henderson is enjoying one of his best spells since joining the club in the summer of 2011 and has thanked the fans for their applause as he was substituted against Sunderland in midweek.

“It meant a lot to be given that ovation by the fans when I was substituted,” he said.

“The fans have always been behind me since I came here.

“Things are going well for me at the moment. I’ve enjoyed playing the last couple of games. There are a lot of games over the Christmas period and the whole squad is needed. I just have to keep working hard and make sure I take my chance when I play.”