Why Jordan Henderson Is the Ideal Candidate to Be the Next Liverpool Captain
Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson looks set to sign a new long-term contract with the club, according to reports, and this should solidify his stance as the ideal candidate to replace departing captain Steven Gerrard at the end of the season.
Ben Smith of BBC Sport writes that: "Henderson is close to agreeing a new £100,000-a-week, five-year deal with the club. The former Sunderland midfielder is expected to sign the new contract this week, ending months of talks."
Smith even adds: "The 24-year-old is likely to take over as captain when [Gerrard] leaves at the end of the season for Major League Soccer side LA Galaxy."
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Henderson has already been operating as Brendan Rodgers' captain in the absence of Gerrard when the 34-year-old has been injured, suspended or benched, likely reinforcing this presumption.
But why is Henderson the perfect candidate?
On-Field Quality
Since Rodgers' arrival at Liverpool, Henderson has developed into a fearsome Premier League midfielder—a far cry from his initial, marginal role under Kenny Dalglish, in which he was largely utilised in an unnatural wide-midfield role.
Henderson has survived being offered to Fulham as part of a swap deal designed to bring then-Cottagers striker Clint Dempsey to Anfield, as reported by Chris Bascombe of The Telegraph in 2012, to become a key player in Rodgers' system.
Last term, this was largely serving as the legs to Gerrard's deep-lying creativity, but in 2014/15 Henderson has come to the fore as a major creative outlet for the Reds:
| Assists | Key Passes | Passes | Passing Accuracy | |
| Jordan Henderson | 8 | 1.7 | 57.7 | 81.7 |
| Raheem Sterling | 7 | 2.1 | 32.3 | 80.1 |
| Philippe Coutinho | 4 | 1.5 | 42.1 | 80.2 |
| Adam Lallana | 3 | 1.3 | 28.4 | 82.7 |
(Statistics from WhoScored.com, all units bar overall assists averaged per league game.)
Henderson is Liverpool's leading Premier League assist-maker in 2014/15, with eight.
He also averages the third-most key passes per league game, with 1.7, behind only Raheem Sterling (2.1) and Gerrard (1.8), with his starting position much less advanced than Sterling's.
He averages the second-most passes per league game, with 57.7, behind only Lucas Leiva (58.3), highlighting the importance of his role, particularly when paired with his creative efficiency.
In terms of Liverpool's four most-prolific players in terms of league assists, too, Henderson is behind only Adam Lallana (82.7 percent) in terms of average passing accuracy, with the 24-year-old finding his man 81.7 percent of the time, despite his creative role.
The vice-captain is one of Liverpool's most important players in a less tangible sense, too, with his relentlessly energetic, probing running style setting the tone for Rodgers' high-intensity pressing system at Liverpool.
Henderson is capable, too, of true captain's performances, such as in March's 2-0 victory over Burnley.
The Reds' No. 14 was everywhere, helping his side pin Burnley into their own half in a supremely dominant display, as well as making the joint-most passes (81) with the highest accuracy (92.6 percent) of any Liverpool player and, in doing so, he also saw the most possession of any player (8.2 percent).
After the game, Rodgers was full of praise for Henderson:
This leadership was evident in his performance and, while he needs to find more consistency in these dominant, captain's displays—with a muted role in Liverpool's 2-1 loss to Aston Villa in Sunday's FA Cup semi-final the perfect showcase of this—Henderson is clearly relishing this central role.
Leadership
After Henderson's lead-by-example showing against Burnley, Lallana praised his credentials as Liverpool captain, as relayed by the Press Association (h/t This is Anfield).
"He is unbelievable. He has matured as a player over the last two seasons and he has kicked on another level even with the armband," Lallana claimed.
"I was lucky enough to be captain at Southampton and it does give you that little bit extra and it seems it is doing the same to him."
Lallana is right. While Henderson did represent a solid leader prior to his appointment as Liverpool vice-captain, his authority has been magnified since this promotion.
This was perfectly outlined with his bust-up with controversial Chelsea striker Diego Costa both during and following the two side's 1-1 Capital One Cup semi-final draw at Anfield in January.
"I love him more and more with every loop. RT @SiaranBolaLive: VINE. Costa vs Henderson. https://t.co/1StMc4Pyjt
— Farrah N. (@Farrahnair) January 23, 2015"
Asked about the incident two months later, Henderson told Henry Winter of The Telegraph that this was a measure taken to counter Costa's intimidating style:
"I didn't want to make any "statement." It was just in that game, he was trying to intimidate some of our younger players, which I didn't really like. He’s a fantastic player that any team would want because of that passion and aggression he’s got. I just didn't like the way he was doing things with our players.
"
Henderson's influence over Liverpool's younger players is evident, as his words on the development of Sterling while on international duty in September of last year shows, relayed by Owen Gibson of the Guardian.
"He's got the right people around him at the club and off the field as well. If he keeps working hard, with the players and the manager he has at Liverpool he can really kick on," Henderson declared.
"I don’t think he’s going to get carried away by it. He’s got the right people around him off the field for Liverpool and England. I’m sure he'll keep his feet on the ground."
Gerrard showcased a similar on-field protection of his young charges with a robust challenge on Marouane Fellaini in Liverpool's 3-0 victory over Manchester United last season, after the Belgian had adopted a physical approach to the Reds forward throughout the game.
Henderson received perhaps the greatest endorsement of all in January when Gerrard, fresh from announcement of his summer departure, highlighted the No. 14 as his ideal successor, as reported by James Pearce of the Liverpool Echo.
"I certainly believe Jordan has everything you need to be a great captain," Gerrard said. "He can become a great captain for this club. He’s a fantastic player for me to hand the armband over to."
"I've got great respect for Jordan Henderson and I know everyone else at the club feels the same."
This respect, from Lallana to Sterling to Gerrard himself, has been earned by Henderson's commitment and his consistent performances, which are likely one of the main factors behind him receiving his new long-term contract.
The New Contract
Henderson's new deal is a marker of this importance to Rodgers' Liverpool both on and off the field, and the way in which the midfielder has approached his protracted talks with the club further magnifies his credentials as future captain.
Sterling's agent seemingly plays an increasingly dominant role in the 20-year-old's own contract talks, with misguided BBC interviews and ever-increasing wage demands diminishing his position with Liverpool supporters, as discussed by former Reds defender Jamie Carragher in a Daily Mail column this month.
Meanwhile, Henderson's contractual PR campaign has been non-existent.
The 24-year-old has remained relatively consistent on the field throughout, expressing his desire to stay with the club, as reported by Simon Mullock of the Mirror last month—the make-up of a humble and committed player.
"I love playing football for Liverpool and I want to be there for many years," Henderson declared.
The midfielder seems set to be rewarded with a new long-term deal, and a reported £100,000-a-week wage reflects his position under Rodgers.
The Liverpool captaincy should follow this in the summer—for his importance to the team on and off the field, Henderson is the ideal candidate to take over from Gerrard as the next Liverpool leader.
Statistics via WhoScored.com.
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