Jordan Henderson has declared that a difficult first season at Liverpool made him ...

Jordan Henderson has declared that a difficult first season at Liverpool made him "become a man" and insists that he has learned from his experiences.

Jordan Henderson moved from Sunderland

Henderson managed 31 Premier League starts last season after arriving from Sunderland for around £16 million, but struggled to hold down his favoured position in central midfield despite a long-term injury to Lucas Leiva.

The 22-year-old showed glimpses of his ability in an unfamiliar role on the right flank, but was still a surprise inclusion in Roy Hodgson's England squad for Euro 2012.

"I think there were a lot of positives to be taken out of my first full season," he told Liverpool's official website. "Admittedly there were also a lot of ups and downs but I learnt a lot and I became a man in that time.

"I've just got to use all the experience that I gained in that year and hope that this can be a better year for me. Obviously all of us as players are disappointed if we haven't played very well or we've got beaten.

"But you've just got to go away and stay positive and keep training hard, keep working hard and eventually it will come right for you. I look to kick on every season. This season is no different."

Henderson feels his England experiences over the summer, which came when he was called up as a replacement for the injured Frank Lampard, have also helped his development.

"I was delighted when the call came," said Henderson, who came on as a substitute in the opening group game against France and the quarter-final defeat on penalties against Italy. "It was a massive experience. Being there with these types of players gives you more confidence when you go and play at the highest level."