Henderson to succeed Steven Gerrard as Liverpool captain

Brendan Rodgers made Jordan Henderson his vice-captain at the start of the season and the Liverpool manager says the midfielder is a natural candidate to take over the captaincy once Steven Gerrard has left.

Rodgers, whose team face AFC Wimbledon at Kingsmeadow on Monday night, said: “I think Jordan Henderson has all the leadership attributes, that was one of the reasons I made him vice-captain. I felt he had no greater captain to learn from than Steven, he was benefiting from his example even before he was vice-captain, but certainly in that new role he has been in pole position in terms of learning from a great, how the job works on and off the field. So when the day comes that Steven does move on we feel we have someone there to offer the same wisdom and knowledge even if he is a different type of player.”

Rodgers admits Liverpool are bound to miss Gerrard’s leadership and inspirational qualities, but believes there are other leaders within the squad who will take the opportunity to fill the vacuum. “We’ve got players here that are keen and hungry to progress,” Rodgers said. “I see leadership qualities even in the likes of young Raheem Sterling. This is a kid that will go on and develop into a world-class talent, a consistent performer.

“We have enough leaders in that changing room that will now step up and hopefully grow into the type of captain a successful team needs. At times when Steven was on the bench I felt the players were looking for his leadership, looking for the captain to come on. This is an opportunity now for the players from within to take a step forward, because from the end of the season Steven won’t be here.”

Credit: Paul Wilson/Guardian Sport