Jordan Henderson has been confirmed as Liverpool’s new vice-captain.
The 24-year-old will succeed Daniel Agger, after the Dane completed a move back to Brondby last month.
The England man has been superb in the heart of the Reds midfield for the best part of 18 months, having looked as though he could be on his way out of Anfield back in the summer of 2012.
Brendan Rodgers openly told Henderson he would not stand in his way if he wanted to move in search of more regular first team football, but the former Sunderland man opted to stay and fight for his place at Anfield – a decision that has been vindicated by his managers latest announcement.
“Yes, Jordan is our new vice-captain. I have been here a couple of years now and been able to give the decision real thought,” the boss explained.
“He’s someone who represents a lot of what we are about – him and Stevie (Gerrard) are the moral compass of our group, how they conduct themselves on and off the field, how they train, how they work.
“There’s a great story of him joining here, when he came in and had a difficult season. The first summer I came here he had the opportunity to leave.
“I did not push him out or ask him to go. But, like I do with all the players if a club comes in, I present them with the opportunity they may have.
“I said ‘listen, you have a chance to go to Fulham and you can go and play every week, or you can stay here. I can’t guarantee you a game straight away, but I know one thing for sure, I will improve you as a player.’ He wanted to stay.
“I felt that first period being out of the team really helped him tactically because we could work more on video and analyse his game and from that he has really grown in confidence.
“You see now for club and country he holds himself really well, he’s got a great stature and I think he will be around here for years to come.”
