Friday 23 December 2016 08:26, UK
Jordan Henderson believes Liverpool have discovered a steely resilience which will assist them in their quest to overhaul Premier League leaders Chelsea.
Liverpool claimed a 1-0 win against Everton in Monday's Merseyside derby at Goodison Park thanks to Sadio Mane's 94th-minute goal - their first victory in the league by that scoreline in 2016.
It was also their second clean sheet in succession following a 3-0 win at Middlesbrough and saw Jurgen Klopp's side cut the gap on Premier League leaders Chelsea to six points.
"It was a big plus for us. We are very pleased with keeping a clean sheet and also in the last game as well," Henderson said.
"We have looked solid in the last couple of games, which is pleasing.
"As long as you win that is the main thing. We are very pleased with how we have won coming to Goodison and dominating, especially in the second half, defending solidly as a team, winning the ball back quickly and keeping a clean sheet, that's important."
Most of the teams surrounding Liverpool are in action on Boxing Day, while the Reds host Stoke on Tuesday, live on Sky Sports. That sparks a run of three games in six days which also sees Liverpool play Manchester City on New Year's Eve and Henderson's former club Sunderland on January 2.
But the Liverpool captain is not concerned about their rivals stealing a march on them, insisting the festive fixture schedule is irrelevant compared with the bigger picture.
"I know people say it's Christmas and there are a lot of games but there are the same amount of games come the end of the season so it doesn't make a difference," he added.
"The aim is to keep performing and winning games. It is important, it doesn't matter what time of year it is.
"We've always aimed to do that as every game we go into we want to get three points because we feel we are a good team who are good enough to beat anyone.
"We take each game as it comes: three points is the aim and we'll see where we are at the end of the season."
