Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson hailed Brad Smith's "outstanding" performance at left-back and reflected on his pleasure at returning to the starting line-up after a goalless draw in Sion.

The Reds concluded the group stages of their UEFA Europa League campaign with a 0-0 stalemate in frosty conditions in Switzerland, seeing off the challenge of FC Sion to ensure they finished top of Group B.

But despite a dull game of few clear-cut chances, they were plenty of positives for Jürgen Klopp to take away from the game - not least a first start since his managerial appointment for skipper Henderson, who returned from a broken foot to play 75 minutes.

Elsewhere, defender Smith made his first ever start for the club just a week after impressing off of the bench in the League Cup and thrived again, as he continued to surge forward and deliver a number of inviting crosses into dangerous areas from full-back.

Skipper pleased to be back in action

Henderson, speaking to BT Sport afterwards, said it was "nice" to get 75 minutes under his belt at the Stade Tourbillon - his first start since mid-August in all competitions.

The 25-year-old described it as a "tough game" in "tough conditions" but insisted they can take the positives from finishing "top of the group" and should now "move forward" to the next round and their next game.

He admitted that his fitness was "tested" on a challenging pitch, with the side nearest to the touchline almost completely frozen over, but said he had "no problem" and has to "just got to keep managing it" because it's "been fine so far."

Smith labels it an "honour" to start for Liverpool

On Smith, he called his performance "outstanding" given that it was his first competitive start for the senior squad and said he was "brilliant" going "up and down the left flank" - hailing his "dangerous" abilities and the "good crosses" he put into the opposition area.

The 21-year-old, who resigned with the club after nearly exiting in the summer over a contract dispute, added that it was "an honour" to start his first game for the club.

The Aussie also admitted they were "tough conditions" to play in but said it was "good" to "get the draw and top the group."

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About the author
Charlie Malam
Digital Sports Writer at the Daily Express. First-class Staffordshire University Sports Journalism graduate. Formerly VAVEL UK's Liverpool FC editor and Deputy Editor-in-Chief. Contributor since June 2014.