MOSCOW, November 7 (R-Sport) - Despite missing captain Steven Gerrard, Liverpool will not be distracted for Thursday's Europa League clash with big-spending Russians Anzhi Makhachkala, midfielder Jordan Henderson said Wednesday.
Liverpool beat Anzhi 1-0 at Anfield last month through a Stewart Downing strike, with Gerrard leading the team, but he and striker Luis Suarez have been left out of the side for the trip to Moscow.
"Everybody knows how big a player Stevie is," Henderson said. "The other players, they're focused enough, I don't think it'll affect them."
The mood in the side remained buoyant despite a three-game winless run since beating Anzhi last month, Henderson said.
"I think everybody's confident going into the game," he said. "I think we've got the quality in the squad to get a good result."
Henderson admitted he knew little of the Anzhi team.
"I think I know a couple,three or four, obviously [Christopher] Samba because he was in the Premier League," he said, adding that he also knew striker Samuel Eto'o and defender Joao Carlos.
Henderson added he knew more names but was afraid to say them in public for fear of mispronouncing them.
