Jordan Henderson Named Liverpool Captain, Replaces Steven Gerrard

Jordan Henderson has been named as Steven Gerrard's successor as Liverpool's club captain.

The news was confirmed by the Anfield club via their official Twitter account:

The 25-year-old has long been seen as the heir apparent to Gerrard, who departed Anfield for MLS side Los Angeles Galaxy at the end of the 2014-15 season.

Henderson commented on his appointment, telling the official Liverpool website:

"

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 Sunderland-born Henderson has become a regular fixture in the Liverpool midfield since his 2011 arrival from his hometown club.

However, as noted by Andy Hunter in the Guardian, receiving the skipper's armband completes a significant turnaround for Henderson after his early travails on Merseyside, which almost saw him depart for Fulham.  

The confirmation has come ahead of the club's first pre-season friendly on Tuesday against Thailand All-Stars in Bangkok.

Henderson has big shoes to fill. Gerrard spent almost 12 years as Reds skipper and rightly departed Anfield as a club legend.

Henderson's first aim will be to lead his side back to the title-challenging form they displayed in the 2013-14 season, as they finished a relatively lowly sixth in the Premier League last term.