Henderson on Van Dijk absence and Keita form

However, the captain is confident that whoever replaces the suspended No.4 in Liverpool’s starting line-up at Anfield will do so adeptly.

An ever-present in the Premier League and Champions League to date this season, Van Dijk will miss the first leg of the Reds’ last-16 tie after accumulating three bookings during the group phase.

And, during Monday’s pre-match press conference, Henderson was asked how keenly the centre-back’s absence will be felt.

“Of course he’s a massive miss, a big miss,” the skipper said.

“I think he’s played every game this season so I think you can see how important he is for us as a team. But at the same time I feel as though we have enough quality in the team to be…