Henderson appointed Liverpool captain

The midfielder told Goal in June that he was ready to replace Steven Gerrard permanently after leading the team 19 times, with Brendan Rodgers hailing the player's growth

Liverpool have confirmed Jordan Henderson as the club's new captain, taking over from Steven Gerrard, who left at the end of last season.

Henderson, who signed a contract extension in April, had been hotly tipped to be named as permanent skipper after deputising for the new LA Galaxy man in recent months, telling Goal he was ready in June.

"I've always wanted to take more responsibility, especially at the stage of my career I'm at," he said.

"I feel I'm getting a bit older now, a bit more mature and of course I want to take more responsibility for the team but at the same time, I think it's up to all of us as a team to take more responsibility on the pitch and make sure we put in good performances.

"When I've been vice-captain I've just tried to do my best for the team as I always have and to learn as much as I can from Stevie, like I have from when I first came to the club. But we've got a lot of captains and a lot of leaders in the dressing room so I'm sure whoever he [Rodgers] picks, the lads will be right behind him.

"I've think I've learned a lot from Steven. I have from when I first came to the club, he's been a huge role model and leader to all of us. All of us have learned a lot from him; just being with him every day, training with him every day, you learn a lot from him."

Upon confirmation, Brendan Rodgers hailed Henderson's attributes and growth since joining from Sunderland in a deal worth around £20 million in 2011, going on to captain the side 19 times.

"Jordan is someone who leads through example - through his actions, attitude and application," Rodgers told the club's official website. "He shows total commitment to the game and is a role model professional.

"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."