Football
Mike Whalley 10y

Jordan Henderson named Liverpool's vice-captain behind Steven Gerrard

Jordan Henderson has been named as Liverpool's new vice-captain, two years after he almost left the club.

Manager Brendan Rodgers has confirmed the England midfielder's appointment as the replacement for centre-back Daniel Agger, who returned to Denmark to rejoin Brondby on Aug. 30.

Henderson, 24, will serve as deputy to club captain Steven Gerrard after impressing Rodgers with his performances over the last two seasons.

Rodgers told the Daily Mirror: "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.

"He's someone who represents a lot of what we are about -- he and Stevie are the moral compass of our group, how they conduct themselves on and off the field, how they train, how they work."

Henderson was signed from Sunderland for 16 million pounds in 2011 by then-manager Kenny Dalglish, but looked to be on his way out of Anfield after a difficult first season.

Shortly after Rodgers arrived as Liverpool boss in June 2012, the midfielder was offered the chance to join Fulham but decided to stay on Merseyside to fight for his place.

That decision was rewarded with a key role in the team who finished second in the Premier League last season.

And having helped the club secure Champions League qualification, Henderson is set to play in the competition for the first time when the Reds host Bulgarian titleholders Ludogorets on Tuesday.

Rodgers said: "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."

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