The Liverpool midfielder knows that playing well for his club is the first step in that direction, according to the Liverpool Echo.
“I think I need to stamp my authority on Liverpool first, get a regular place, start playing well and playing games,” Henderson said. “When I come with the Under-21s I need to show I’m 100 percent at it all the time, lead by example and hopefully I’ll get that call-up.”
The 21-year-old Henderson has made one appearance for England’s senior team. He is the captain of its U-21 team and hopes to feature for Great Britain’s team at the 2012 Olympics in London.
“We have to make sure we are playing well for England first but I’m sure everyone would love to play in the Olympics team and anyone picked will be grateful to be in that team,” Henderson said.
Henderson joined Liverpool over the summer in a £16 million ($25.5 million) transfer from Sunderland. He’s made 13 appearances for the Reds and scored once and thinks that establishing himself at a big club help him reach his international goals. The presence of other midfielders with international pedigree give him the perfect role models from which he can learn.
“It’s been tough so far this season but I’ve stuck to it and I’m still learning as a player,” Henderson said. I went to Liverpool and I’m improving, there are great players there I’m learning from.
“It’s a big challenge but one I’m relishing, really. I have confidence and self-belief in myself.
“There are a lot of great midfielders there but we all help each other and learn off each other. I’m happy there at the minute. I just have to keep playing football and keep improving.”
While he admittedly hasn’t had the best of starts at Liverpool, his career is further advanced than most players his age. If he cements a place in the Reds’ midfield and turns in dynamic performances toward the end of the season, a spot in England’s Euro 2012 squad would not be out of the question for the ambitious Henderson.
Photo via Flickr/Gail Lewis Braznell
