Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson has admitted that it is important for the club that they can win Premier League games even when not at their best.

The Reds beat Hull City 2-0 on New Year's Day to respond to two consecutive defeats, and Henderson was glad that they managed to start 2014 with a victory.

"It was important to get the year off to a good start," he told the Liverpool Echo. "Maybe we didn't play as well as we have done in certain games when we have won by four or five, but we showed we can grind a result out when we're not at our best.

"We could have had more goals. I should have scored with the chance I had when I dragged it wide.

"Our aim is to make Anfield a fortress - to make it really difficult for teams when they come here. We've been doing that and hopefully we can keep doing that and pick up points away too."

Liverpool are fourth in the Premier League, a point ahead of Merseyside rivals Everton.