Liverpool defender Javi Manquillo feels that Daniel Sturridge and Jordan Henderson are decisive players for the Reds as they look to win the FA Cup and stay in the hunt for a spot in next season’s Champions League.

Manquillo joined Brendan Rodgers' side at the start of the current season on loan from reigning Spanish champions Atletico Madrid and has played ten Premier League games so far.




A right-back by trade, most of Manquillo’s starts for the Reds came in the early part of the season when Rodgers played with a flat back four, but with the manager adopting a 3-4-3 formation, the youngster has been left on the bench with Lazar Markovic playing as a right wing-back.

The tactical switch has worked like a charm for Liverpool as they have gone undefeated in their last 12 Premier League outings. Their purple patch has seen them climb to fifth in the table and they have become strong favourites for a spot in next season’s Champions League.
 


The Spaniard believes that Sturridge’s return from a five-month long injury layoff has given a massive boost to Liverpool and the forward's form will play a big part in where the Reds finish at the season’s end.

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“Daniel is a great player and his return has surely given us a boost and will help us massively”, Manquillo told the club site.

Henderson has earned plaudits from all quarters with his star turn this season, especially in the absence of the injured Steven Gerrard, and the 24-year-old has scored in each of Liverpool’s last two games to help them win all three points.

Manquillo feels that Henderson has always been a decisive player and his goalscoring turn has added the icing on the cake.

“Henderson has shown he's a great player since I arrived at Liverpool.

“He's been doing even better now because he's been scoring goals more often.”

Liverpool will play Blackburn Rovers in the quarter-final of the FA Cup at Anfield on Sunday where a win would get them a step closer to their first trophy this season.

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