Updated at 17.25pm
AS WAS EXPECTED, Jordan Henderson has been appointed Liverpool’s new club captain following the departure of Steven Gerrard.
The 25-year-old midfielder served as the vice-captain at Anfield last year and had been widely tipped to become Gerrard’s successor, who wore the armband for 12 seasons before his move to LA Galaxy.
Henderson, who moved to Merseyside from Sunderland in 2011, is preparing for his fifth season with the Reds and his appointment is a further indication of his growing worth to the club.
“I’m absolutely delighted and proud,” he said in a statement on the club’s website. “It is a great honour and a huge privilege to be named as the captain of this football club.
“When Steven [Gerrard] wasn’t in the team last season, I tried to do the best I could when I stepped in and took the armband. Now I’ll be looking to carry that on and continue to grow as a captain.
“I’ll look to give my best all of the time, put the team firmly first and try to give them – or help them with – whatever they need from me.”
The England international has made 186 appearances for Liverpool and has quickly established himself as an integral part of Brendan Rodgers’ side.
Following his £18 million move to Anfield, Henderson was slow to settle and many quarters questioned whether he had the ability to cut it at the top level.
But his elevation into the captaincy role speaks volumes of the progress he’s made and the faith Rodgers showed in him has already paid dividends.
“Jordan is someone who leads through example – through his actions, attitude and application. He shows total commitment to the game and is a role model professional,” Rodgers added.
“He is also greatly respectful of the great traditions associated with being Liverpool captain and the responsibilities that come with it. He has been blessed to learn first-hand from one of the greatest the club has ever had, in Steven Gerrard.
“Jordan has grown as a person and as a player since arriving at Liverpool and is ready to take up this challenge. He will be his own person, with his own style of leadership and his own ideas and methods.”
Meanwhile, Martin Skrtel’s lengthy contract negotiations have finally concluded with the defender signing a new three-year deal with the club.
The 30-year-old Slovakian international would have been a free agent next summer but terms have been agreed between both parties ahead of the new season.
Having returned to pre-season training this week, Liverpool’s preparations intensify ahead of the new campaign when they begin their tour of Asia and Australia this weekend.
The Reds’ first game of the season is against Stoke City on Sunday 9 August.
