Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson admitted the first few months of 2021 was one of the 'toughest spells' of his Anfield career.
The Reds were top of the table at Christmas in December 2020, but the month that followed saw a title charge collapse right before their eyes and they suffered their first league defeat at home since April 2017.
Liverpool's poor form was largely caused by the significant number of injuries within the squad, but in the face of adversity they fought back to secure a top four finish at the end of the season.
This term, Jurgen Klopp's men continue to battle on all four fronts and the title race is far from over. The turnaround over the last year is 'testament' to the hard work of everyone at the club, says Henderson.
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"Sometimes it can do you good to see how far you’ve come – or otherwise – and in our case we are in a very different place to where we were a year ago," the skipper wrote in his programme notes for this afternoon's match against Norwich City.
“To say the first couple of months of 2021 were tough would be an understatement. Injuries in key positions had caught up with us, we were dropping points in a way that was totally out of character for us, and even Anfield had stopped being the stronghold that it had been beforehand.
“We also had no fans in the ground, a factor which should never be downplayed given the advantage that our supporters have always given us.
“As captain I couldn’t and wouldn’t hide the fact that this was one of the toughest spells that I’ve had at Liverpool and I know it was the same for all of the lads.
“What has occurred in the 12 months since then is testament to everyone at the club with the fact that we are in the last 16 in the Champions League, in a decent position in the Premier League and still in both domestic cup competitions speaking volumes for everything that has happened since."
Liverpool still have a nine-point gap to make up on league leaders Manchester City, but they have a game in hand over their rivals and the two teams still need to play each other at the Etihad in April.
The Premier League aside, Klopp's side have the Carabao Cup final to contend a week on Sunday and are making good progress in both the FA Cup and Champions League.
