Brendan Rodgers was full of praise for Jordan Henderson after he netted Liverpool's winner against 10-man Udinese to book their place in the Europa League last-32.
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The midfielder fired home the game's only goal midway through the first-half at the Stadio Friuli to book the Reds their place in the first knock-out round as Group A winners.
"He is a great lad and works hard and has come in over the last month and made a good contribution to the team," said Rodgers.
"It was a very good finish and he was unfortunate not to get a second goal as the goalkeeper made a wonderful save.
"He has that quality to arrive in the box and he has a finish in him so I am delighted for him and his hard work is paying off."
The hosts were reduced to 10 men in the closing stages of the game following Giovanni Pasquale's second yellow card, although they almost snatched the equaliser that would have ended the Merseysiders' European adventure, only for Antonio Di Natale to fire over from close range.
Rodgers, though, feels that might be a sign things are finally starting to go his side's way, with the Northern Irishman adding: "Hopefully it is a sign we have a little bit of luck going our way because maybe a couple of months back that would have gone in and we would be out of the competition.
"There was no margin for error tonight. I felt we had to win the game because we were in a difficult group against good teams.
"Over the course of all the games, how we have played and progressed through the tournament I think we are deserved winners of the group."
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