Liverpool vs Norwich City preview - Henderson set for Liverpool recall

Posted Saturday, October 22, 2011 by PA

Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson could be given a second chance to impress quicker than he may have expected as manager Kenny Dalglish contemplates his recall.

The England Under-21 international was dropped to the bench for the Reds' biggest two matches of the season - the trip to Everton and the visit of Manchester United - in the last fortnight.

After a less-than-comfortable start to life at Anfield following a £16million summer move from Sunderland the youngster was taken out of the firing line by Dalglish

The 21-year-old had started Liverpool's first six Barclays Premier League matches, although he was kept involved by the Scot as two appearances off the bench ensured he has featured in every league game so far.

Lucas Leiva serves a one-match suspension for the visit of Norwich having already accumulated five yellow cards and that gives Henderson a chance to reclaim his starting place.

Despite being the first of the summer signings to score for his new club at the end of August Henderson has yet to find his feet - and a position which suits.

Even Dalglish admits he does not where to play him but he gave a glimpse of his true potential in an eventful 30-minute cameo against United with one dipping volley acrobatically saved by David de Gea and a glancing header just over, with both coming from an advanced central position.

"I don't know his best position yet - but I know his best club and that's this one," said Dalglish.

"We just want him to play and enjoy playing. He's a talented footballer with a great future in front of him and we are just delighted he chose to come here.

"He'll be here for a long, long time and he's going to be a tremendous asset for us. He's got patience too.

"He's a good player who knows what is required. He's a young boy who has come down from Sunderland and is starting to settle in really well now.

"He's another option for us in midfield this weekend. I've just got to make the right decision.

"We know Lucas can't play. He's suspended but we'll just have to cover it as best as we can."

Norwich manager Paul Lambert insists his side will "give it a go" just as they did at Chelsea and Manchester United.

The Canaries lost 3-1 at Stamford Bridge and 2-0 at Old Trafford, but have picked up 11 points from their other six games to sit ninth in the Barclays Premier League.

"We know how hard it's going to be, they're a club with great tradition and history and have some great players, but I don't think our players are frightened by it," said Lambert.

"We're not going up there with any trepidation or fear. We are going there to try to win a game the way we did at Stamford Bridge and Old Trafford.

"Yeah we got beaten, but we went and gave it a go and we will give this one a go as well."

Boosted by the 3-1 home win against fellow promoted side Swansea last weekend, he added: "We're playing at a high level at the minute and we're a match for most of the teams at this moment in time.

"But we have to sustain the standard we've set ourselves - there's only a handful of games gone - and hopefully the lads will do it.

"The way we are playing we are creating a lot of chances and converting some. The lads are full of confidence and have that spirit they've had for the last few years.

"That seems to have taken us a long way, but there's also a lot of ability in the side.

"As the game goes on your concentration level has to be really high. That's the nature of top-level football and you have to handle it - you make no apology for it because that's the level you aspire to be."

Lambert played under Liverpool manager Dalglish at Celtic.

He added: "They don't come any bigger than him and his enthusiasm is great for the game.

"He's done brilliant in turning it round for them, while Steven Gerrard coming back has given them a major lift."

Steve Morison, who laid on the first goal for Anthony Pilkington after just 50 seconds last Saturday, is available for the trip after suffering cramp and being replaced in the second-half.

But Norwich are still waiting for Zak Whitbread, Elliot Ward, Daniel Ayala and James Vaughan to recover from injuries.