Liverpool's Jordan Henderson insists he will not let the prospect of facing Sunderland affect his focus this weekend.
Summer signing not affected by facing old team-mates
Liverpool's summer signing Jordan Henderson insists he will not let the prospect of facing Sunderland affect his focus this weekend.
The £16million capture left the Black Cats over the summer and in an unlikely twist of fate the club's season opener is against his old side.
Although Henderson remains a Sunderland fan, he insists he will be looking to help Liverpool begin the new Premier League campaign on a winning note.
The 21-year-old midfielder accepts it was a hard decision to leave his boyhood club, although he could not pass up the opportunity to play alongside the likes of Steven Gerrard and Luis Suarez.
Focus
"I've got to treat it as a normal game, it's the only thing I can do," explained Henderson. "I had a great time at Sunderland and it was a hard decision, but a massive opportunity to come to Liverpool.
"Sunderland has been a massive part of my career, I have supported them my whole life and I will carry on doing so.
"I have still got a lot of friends at the club. But now I just need to focus on the job at Liverpool.
"I felt as though the time was right to move to a massive club and play with players like Steven Gerrard and Luis Suarez.
"My family and friends just want what is best for me and whatever decision I made, they were happy with that - but I'm sure they will want Sunderland to win."
