Jordan Henderson has dropped a retirement hint when playing down fears about his fitness.
The Liverpool captain missed the end of last term and pre-season with a knee injury before returning on the opening day for the Reds' 4-3 victory over Leeds United.
However, the 30-year-old was sidelined once again after suffering a thigh injury in Liverpool's 2-0 victory over Chelsea the following week.
Having been named in the England squad for the October internationals, the midfielder should feature against Everton in the Merseyside derby next weekend with the Three Lions' clashes with Belgium and Denmark offering him the chance to return to action.
And Henderson has revealed he's confident he could keep playing at the highest-level well into his late-30s having enjoyed the finest season of his career last year as he led the Reds to the Premier League title.
“I’m just turned 30 and I still feel about 25 physically and I feel as good as I’ve ever felt,” he said.
“I’m at a good point in my career in terms of my experience and physically there’s not even a question about anything like that at the moment.
“I want to try to play as long as possible. I still love the game and I want to play for England and Liverpool as long as I can.
“I’ve always lived my life the right way in terms of doing everything right, eat the right things, sleep right and live my life the best way. So even in the next six or seven years I should hopefully be able to perform at the highest level.
“At the minute I feel physically very good and feel I am at a good part of my career in terms of the balance of experience I’ve had in the last 10 years but also I feel very strong.
“I was a bit unfortunate to pick up the knock I did at the end of last season with a bit of a bizarre challenge, which I picked up my knee injury, but I rehabbed well and feel really good now.”
