Jordan Henderson is preparing to return to Anfield with Chelsea after upsetting Liverpool fans

Xabi Alonso reckons Jordan Henderson is still playing like a 28-year-old following his contentious move to Chelsea - and that's why he wanted him. Henderson, 36, who captained Liverpool to Premier League and Champions League glory, completed a surprise switch to the Blues from Brentford in the summer.

The move didn't go down well with some Reds fans, while even more were left unimpressed when he tapped the Chelsea badge as he celebrated scoring a free-kick in a 5-1 win over Bournemouth in just his second game for the club. Therefore, Henderson can expect a mixed reaction when he returns to Anfield for Tuesday's Carabao Cup tie.

One Reds fan posted: "Tapping Chelsea's badge is unforgivable for me. We have to teach Jordan Henderson some Anfield lessons tonight."

Another said: "I still can't believe how stupid Jordan Henderson was tapping Chelsea's badge." A third added: "Loved Hendo for Liverpool but that was a bad move for him."

However, fellow ex-Liverpool midfielder Alonso has no regrets about signing the veteran, hailing his fitness and experience. The Spaniard said: "He's 36, but he's in a very good shape physically. He has a lot of energy, but that hasn't changed.

"I see he's 36, but you tell me he's 28 when he was playing in Liverpool, and he was pressing and following the press and wanting the ball and having this impact, having this influence in the rest of the team. [That] hasn't changed that much.

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"He did that in Brentford, and that's why we thought that he could work in that position with the team that we had. Now he's feeling well, he's feeling important, and he's having a very positive influence.

"That's what we wanted, that's [what] we are getting that from Jordan, and he's enjoying his game. He's playing well, not for the goals he has, but for the impact that he's having in the team."

The arrival of Henderson and striker Danny Welbeck, 35, saw Chelsea U-turn on their scattergun transfer approach of signing young players on large contracts. It is hoped the arrival of the pair will bring more professionalism and nous to the team.

The jury is out on that front. While there have been promising signs from Alonso's side, who sit fifth in the Premier League table, Saturday's 2-0 home defeat to Tottenham set off alarm bells among the fans.

Tuesday's cup tie is arguably more important for Chelsea, given they are not involved in European football this season. Alonso is likely to name a stronger side than Andoni Iraola, whose side host Arsenal on Sunday before an away trip to Fenerbahce in the Champions League next week.