Jordan Henderson insists Liverpool's new arrivals will be the difference this season

Jordan Henderson will captain Liverpool this season following Steven Gerrard's departure

LIVERPOOL captain Jordan Henderson believes a win in their opening fixture against Stoke will be the perfect confidence boost for his side.

Stoke defeated Liverpool 6-1 at the Britannia Stadium on the final day of last season in what was a nightmare send-off for Steven Gerrard.

And just by chance Liverpool begin their campaign with a visit to Stoke on Sunday with the same referee who featured in the last outing between the two - Anthony Taylor.
But Henderson and his side will be hoping for a different scoreline as he says the devastating defeat from last season needs to be put to bed.

"There couldn't be a better place for us to start and put what happened there last season to bed once and for all," said the midfielder.
"The lads who were playing that day will remember it for quite some time. It was a horrible day for everyone involved.
"We have a determination to do better and to improve as a team. We are focusing on the future and that is the first game at Stoke. They are a good team but so are we."
Brendan Rodgers has spent big this summer, with £32.5m signing Christian Benteke and the £29m arrival of Brazilian Roberto Firmino the most expensive of the lot.

And Henderson believes their new added quality will help them challenge for the title this season.
"We will be stronger with the new players that we have got. We are a young team but we have brought in quality. I think the quality we have added will make a big difference.
"We have got a lot of character in the team. What happened there last year will only make us stronger. We have got to put it to bed.
"This is a new season, a new start. I think this is a really exciting time. We are quietly confident but we have just got to make sure that we go there, put in a proper performance and get a good result."