Coronavirus: Comfortable with safety measures taken by Premier League, says Liverpool’s Henderson

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson insists he has felt “very safe” since his club returned to training amid the coronavirus crisis this week.

Jurgen Klopp’s side began training in small groups on Wednesday as the Premier League steps up its bid to resume the season in June.

Although all players and staff at top-flight clubs have been tested for the virus, Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante and Watford striker Troy Deeney opted against returning to work because of fears they would not be safe.

However, England midfielder Henderson is sure everything has been done to keep players as safe as possible at Liverpool’s Melwood training base.

“I feel very comfortable with all the measures that the Premier League and the club have put in place, along with my team-mates,” Henderson told Sky Sports on Thursday.

“The testing, the temperature control, the social distancing and disinfecting everything has been at a really high level since we’ve been back. They’re doing everything they can to make it as safe as possible. We do feel comfortable and that’s why we’re here training. I feel very safe at the training ground, otherwise I wouldn’t be here.”

The Bundesliga returned to action last weekend and Henderson is hopeful contact training and then a resumption of Premier League games will follow.

“We want to follow the right protocol and follow the next steps. We want to start bigger group training and then hopefully start playing games again soon rather than later, whenever it’s safe to do so,” he said.

Henderson said he understood the decision of players at other clubs who have stayed away.

“I fully respect their opinion. Everyone is in a different situation at home and, ultimately, if you don’t feel comfortable you shouldn’t feel forced or pressured to come into work,” he said. “I fully respect the opinion of any players who don’t feel comfortable yet. If any of my team-mates felt like that I would respect and support them.”

With Liverpool 25 points clear at the top of the Premier League before the March shutdown, Henderson has been motivated to keep as fit as possible during the lockdown.

“My mindset hasn’t changed from where we left off. I always felt the season needed finishing whenever it was safe to do so,” he said. “I’ve stayed as fit as I can so am ready when times come to perform at highest level and finish the season off. That’s been our motivation.”