Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson has declared that his side's emphatic 6-0 win over Newcastle United proves that they can cope without Luis Suarez.
With Suarez beginning a 10-match ban, the Reds started Daniel Sturridge in attack at St James' Park, and the forward responded by netting twice in an accomplished display.
Henderson also bagged a brace and believes that a performance full of attacking intent silenced critics who thought that Liverpool would struggle without the Uruguayan striker.
He told The Sun: "It was important we ended the week on a high. I don't think we let what has happened with Luis affect us. The players have handled it brilliantly.
"The attention has been diverted anywhere but football. But we just want to get on with our job. Luis is a massive player for us and has scored a lot of goals this season and we're happy when he's in the side.
"But we've shown that we can cope when he's missing through suspension or injuries. We've answered a few critics with this performance who thought we'd struggle without Luis. We are a good team. If we can keep building and keep progressing then we can keep getting better."
Brendan Rodgers's side sit seventh in the Premier League, five points behind city rivals Everton ahead of Sunday's Merseyside derby at Anfield.
Liam Power
