/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/53231483/634756330.0.jpg)
Back in it with a chance, is the sentiment around Anfield in the wake of a 2-0 dismantling of the Spurs at the weekend, in stark contrast to the prevailing sour mood in the lead up to the clash. In an effort to banish the memory of a morbid January that we simply are not going to speak of anymore, the Reds leapt at the opportunity to cement their lead atop the top-6 mini-table and re-ignite the contest for places #2 through #4 behind presumptive champions, Chelsea.
That being said, a win was no sure thing, as even despite the Londoners playing the sort of progressive style that Jürgen Klopp’s squad salivate over—in opposition to the negative tactics they have often come up against in their barren run—form still dictated that the visitors came in with a slight edge.
However, the fire and resilience Liverpool showed in putting the league’s best defense to the sword in the first period and then holding on to stifle any hopes of a comeback in closing out the game has given Jordan Henderson hope that his side will continue to repay the faith Klopp has placed in them:
"As players we take the responsibility as we feel as though we have let ourselves down, the manager down and the fans down," the captain said speaking to the Liverpool Echo yesterday.
"Putting in that performance doesn't make up for it but it is a start and a step in the right direction. Now we have to build on that and keep going.
"You have to stick together. It was a tough time because we knew we hadn't won for so long and performance levels were not up to standard.
"But you have to stay together and keep believing, and I felt we did that.”
The 26-year old is reported to have called a clear-the-air players meeting in midweek to address the poor form that had seen the Reds take only one win from 10 to start 2017, falling out of the top four in the process for the first time since September.
"I wouldn't question the attitude of the players,” Henderson continued. “It is very good, but there are one or two things we need to work on which we did last week in training which could help us going forward.
"I felt as though we've always had confidence and belief but performances over recent weeks haven't been up to the standard we've set ourselves, and we've been punished.
"I thought everyone showed great character against Tottenham and now we have to make sure we are consistent with it.
"We have fantastic quality in the team, great mentality and great character, but it is no good me saying that -- it is up to us to show that from now until the end of the season."
Now out of both domestic cups and with at least 16 days between Saturday’s match and the next league fixture at Leicester City, Klopp has given the team a few days off prior to departing for a “mini-preseason” in Spain. Henderson, for one, is looking to help his squad to recollect and prepare for the push to win out for the rest of the season and control their own destiny in the fight for Champions League places:
"We'll be on the training field working hard," he added. "We have to make the most of that time and hopefully we will benefit from that and then we can kick on from the next game until the end of the season.
"From day one we've said the aim is to win every game. Sometimes it is not possible but that's our aim and our aim is to do that from now until the end of the season."