Date: 5th January 2015 at 6:19pm
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Brendan Rodgers has backed Jordan Henderson to thrive in the role of Liverpool captain when Steven Gerrard leaves the club at the end of the season.

Henderson was appointed Liverpool’s vice-captain following the departure of Daniel Agger in the summer, and looks set to take over from Gerrard at the end of the season.

Rodgers has faced some questions over a possible lack of leaders in his young squad, but the Liverpool boss has backed Henderson amongst others to step up in Gerrard’s absence.

Asked if Henderson had all the attributes required to lead the club, Rodgers said: “Yes. It was one of the reasons I made him vice-captain.

“He has got no greater captain to learn from. That was the idea of putting him in that role and seeing Jordan being here for a number of years.

“I think he saw Steven as a great example anyway before he was vice-captain, but certainly in that vice-captain’s role it would give him pole position in terms of learning from a great in how he behaves, how he works, on and off the field, so when that day came that Steven would move on, you have someone there who is a different sort of player of course, but someone who can then offer that wisdom and knowledge throughout his years here.

“That is something I know he is very keen on and he has been learning from Steven.

“I felt here in my time that even when Steven was on the bench, at times the team were looking for that player, looking for Steven to come off the bench and come into the game.

“This is an opportunity now for the players within to really go and step forward as this is it, come the end of the season he won’t be here.

“The club, if we are not signing that type of player and profile, then it has to come from within and that is the reality of where we are at.

“Listen, we have got players here that are very keen and hungry to progress as football players.

“I see the likes of even young Raheem Sterling and his leadership qualities coming through. This is a kid that will go on and develop. He has won an award for being the top young European player and over the coming years you will see him go on and become that world-class talent by consistently performing.

“We have got enough leaders in that changing room that will now step up and grow hopefully and become that type of leader and character that makes up successful teams.”

 

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