Henderson: I can't and won't copy Gerrard as Liverpool captain

After taking custody of the armband from the long-serving Reds hero, the 25-year-old intends to be his own man, though his predecessor is "always on the end of a phone"

Jordan Henderson has vowed to be his own man after inheriting the Liverpool captaincy from Steven Gerrard.

The midfielder was named as Brendan Rodgers' new skipper earlier in July, after Reds legend Gerrard left for LA Galaxy following a 12-year spell with the armband that made him the club's longest-serving captain.

Henderson has no intention of trying to copy his predecessor, as he feels that doing so represents an impossible task.

"I don't think there will ever be another Steven Gerrard in terms of talent and leadership," the 25-year-old told the media, "but it was good for me to play with him and learn from him.

"He's a footballer who I had so much respect for and for a leadership aspect as well.

"I have taken as much as I could from him and I will try and use that but, going forward, I have got to do what I believe is right and what I want to do.

"I still speak to Stevie on a regular basis. He always tells me that, if I need any advice, he is always on the end of a phone.

"When he scored the other day, I got in touch with him straight away. I was delighted for him and you could see how much it meant to him from the way he celebrated.

"I can still learn from him, even when he is playing so far away. He just said he would always be there for me, really. He was over the moon for me."