Jordan Henderson ignoring Liverpool price tag

(GETTY IMAGES)

Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson is confident he can cope with the added expectations placed on him after his big-money move from Sunderland.

The England Under-21 international was manager Kenny Dalglish's first signing of the summer, arriving from the Stadium of Light in a £16million deal.

Surprise was expressed at the time about the size of the fee but Henderson cannot do anything about that.

First and foremost he has to fight his way into the side, with three of Dalglish's four recruits so far being midfielders.

Henderson, along with fellow newcomers Charlie Adam and Stewart Downing, will face plenty of competition for places in the coming weeks.

But when he does get his chance he knows he has to perform.

"Liverpool is a massive club and I'm grateful to be part of it," he said on www.liverpoolfc.tv.

"It probably hasn't sunk in properly yet, but I'll keep working hard, keep doing the things I was doing at Sunderland and hopefully I can improve.

"There are big expectations and demands but that comes with football.

"You're going to get that wherever you go and it's about how you deal with it.

"I'm looking forward to the challenge. I'll just keep working as hard as I possibly can and hopefully I can put some good performances in for Liverpool."

The 21-year-old was one of Sunderland's best performers last season and deservedly won their young player of the year award.

But when Liverpool came in for him he admits the transfer happened in something of a blur, especially as he was focusing on the England Under-21s' European Championship campaign.

His international duty resulted in a delayed return to pre-season training but in the short time Henderson has spent with Dalglish - the player only started at Melwood last week - he has been impressed by the Scot.

"Everyone knows what he is like, he is a brilliant manager and just as brilliant as a person," said the midfielder.

"He's been great with me and with everyone and he is someone that you look up to.

"The manager is one of the best managers around and he can help me with my own career and with the rest of the lads as well.

"I think that's great for everyone and I'm looking forward to working with him and everybody else."

Henderson made his first appearance in a Reds shirt in Saturday's 3-0 defeat at npower Championship side Hull and hopes to get another run-out against Galatasaray in Istanbul tomorrow.

"I'm looking forward to Galatasaray," he added.

"It'll be tough but a good match for us to prepare for the start of the season by working on a few things, gelling as a team and getting a little bit more used to each other.

"I enjoyed the break - it was good to have a little rest - but as soon as it was over I was chomping at the bit to get involved and start training again.

"It was good to get out there and start playing again at Hull, especially with being new to the club.

"I've only been back in training for a week or two so I'm just trying to get my fitness levels as high as possible.

"I'm looking forward to the season and can't wait for it to get underway."