BOYHOOD Liverpool fan Adam Henley is determined to ensure his second Anfield experience is as memorable as his first.

And if he can help Blackburn Rovers pull off a stunning FA Cup quarter-final victory over Liverpool tomorrow it would round off a dream week for the young defender.

The 20-year-old scored the first goal of his career in the midweek win at Sheffield Wednesday.

And now Henley is hoping Rovers can surpass that success with a shock triumph over the team he still supports.

The right-back has happy memories of the first time he played at the home of his beloved Liverpool on Boxing Day 2011.

Hanley, then 17, made his full debut as injury hit Rovers overcame the odds to earn a 1-1 draw.

It proved a rare highlight in a troubled season that ended with the club being relegated.

But Henley believes the character they showed that afternoon will need to be replicated tomorrow.

“I was a massive Liverpool fan as a kid so to make my debut there at 17 was a dream,” he said.

 “It seems surreal when you look back it at now with the players we had and the injury problems we had.

“But it just proved what you can do when you work together as team and if you’re organised, focused and concentrating on one thing.

“Those are the type of things we’re going to need to bring to the game on Sunday and if we do I’m sure we can get something out of it.”

Henley has been an ever present in Rovers’ run to the quarter-finals and he reckons their victories over Liverpool’s Premier League rivals Swansea City and Stoke City should give them real belief they can make it through to the Wembley semi-finals.

“We’re full of confidence after the performances against Stoke and Swansea,” he said.

“No-one will give us a chance but we’re going there to get a result and to get to Wembley.

“We’re not just going there for a day out. It’s a massive game for us and we’re taking it very seriously.”

Rovers certainly took their trip to Hillsborough on Wednesday seriously.

Little was riding on the outcome but you would never have guessed by Rovers’ wholly committed performance, the highlight of which was Henley’s long-awaited first goal.

The Wales U21s international swapped passes with Doneil Henry and Chris Taylor and then coolly slotted home before being mobbed by his team-mates.

 “It was massive and something I’ve been waiting for a long time,” said Henley, who had failed to score in his previous 53 appearances.

“The lads were over the moon for me and they didn’t give me a chance to celebrate. Maybe on the next one!”


And if Henley’s past is anything to go by, there should be a next one.

“I started playing up front and I was a prolific goalscorer when I was younger,” he continued.

“I played on the wing as well so it’s not unknown for me to be in a penalty box but chances do not come round very often when you’re playing right-back.

“I was just happy to be in the right place at the right time.”​