Brendan Rodgers’ side were nowhere near replicating their superb recent form, but still took all three points as Swansea defender Jordi Amat’s 68th-minute tackle directed the ball against Henderson’s shins, who watched it fly into the net.
In truth, Liverpool could have had few complaints had they trailed by at least two goals at the break as Bafetimbi Gomis and Gylfi Sigurdsson failed to convert clear chances for the hosts.
But Rodgers will care little as a 13th-game unbeaten moved his side to within two points of fourth-placed Manchester United ahead of their key clash with Louis van Gaal’s men on Sunday.
Given Liverpool’s rich vein of form, it was ill-advised for Swansea to give them two easy sights of goal early on.
Ashley Williams had to block Daniel Sturridge’s cross after a woeful attempted clearance by keeper Lukasz Fabianski, with Sturridge then shooting wide a few minutes later.
While initially hesitant defensively, there was a pleasing zip to the home side’s play and Liverpool needed ex-Swan Joe Allen to make a crucial challenge as Gomis, in the home line-up after his White Hart Lane collapse, raced in on goal. Martin Skrtel needed to be similarly attentive when Ki Sung-yueng headed across goal seconds later, while at the other end Adam Lallana’s half-volley only found Fabianski’s gloves.
But it was the hosts who were on top, and Skrtel had to be on hand again when Gomis’ powerful 20th-minute header beat Simon Mignolet.
Chances kept coming the way of Gomis, he took too long to control one Wayne Routledge flick, but when the pair linked again he forced Mignolet into a sharp low save. Sigurdsson then bent an effort over the bar from Neil Taylor’s surge down the left flank.
While Swansea’s forward threats were heavily involved, Sturridge was almost a spectator such was his lack of service. Even when Philippe Coutinho’s clever pass found him in space a poor touch ended the attack.
Gerrard and Carragher on All-Star charity match [AMBIENT]
All the action was at the other end and Sigurdsson found his range and forced Mignolet into a full-length stop, with Alberto Moreno getting in the way of a goalbound Jonjo Shelvey shot.
Liverpool could count themselves fortunate not to be behind as the two teams headed down the tunnel at the interval, and their frustrations were perfectly summed up when Moreno was booked for two needless fouls in quick succession on Kyle Naughton.
But, having barely fired a shot in anger during the opening half, the visitors finally started to exhibit some of the sharpness and speed which had helped them haul themselves into the top-four race.
Raheem Sterling, having done little to show why Liverpool should fork out an additional £50,000 a week to tie him to a new contract, began to come to life.
The winger’s first meaningful contribution almost helped his side take the lead as an intelligent pull-back teed up Coutinho to force an agile block from Fabianski at the near post.
Brendan Rodgers decided it was time for Steven Gerrard and brought on the Reds’ stalwart for Moreno. And within five minutes they led.
But it was nothing to do with Gerrard and involved a healthy slice of good fortune for Henderson, after Sturridge’s clever flick sent him into space – and give them a big lift.
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