Brendan Rodgers is delighted with his decision to make Jordan Henderson Liverpool’s full-time captain, and has praised the former Sunderland man for easing into the role during the pre-season tour of the Far East and Australia.
“He has taken to the role very well. He’s had a perfect role model in Stevie, he’s been on the shoulder of Stevie for a year to see how it all works and he’ll have picked up a lot from him,” Rodgers began, reported in the Echo.
“Like I said to him when I told him he would eventually be the captain – ‘have your own ideas, have your own ways of doing it and do it your way’.
“He’s an outstanding player and I think you’ll see him really blossom with that captaincy.”
In Steven Gerrard, Henderson of course has an unbelievable act to follow. Only Kenny Dalglish can battle with Gerrard for the title of our greatest ever player. Since Gerrard took the captaincy in 2003 from Sami Hyypia, he led us to the Champions League, FA Cup, League Cup and countless top four finishes under a succession of managers.
Henderson has won the League Cup so far, but will be hoping to add plenty of silverware to his collection during his tenure as skipper.
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There has yet to be an announcement on Henderson’s vice-captain though, which is strange with the new season upon us.
“I haven’t announced anything yet or spoken to the players on it yet, but I’ve got an idea who I’d want that to be,” Rodgers said.
The candidates are likely to be Martin Skrtel, Lucas and James Milner. The first two are our longest serving players by quite some distance, while Milner arrived this summer with a vast amount of experience – having picked up two Premier League winners medals as well.
Whoever it is, they’re unlikely to skipper the side often, with Henderson very rarely injured and likely to start all matches when fit.