'Jordan has great attitude'
Brendan Rodgers today hailed Jordan Henderson's 'incredible attitude' and vowed to get the maximum potential out of the young midfielder.
The 22-year-old was the first new arrival at Anfield last summer after impressing with his raw ability from the centre of the pitch at previous club Sunderland.
After making 48 appearances during his debut season with the Reds in 2011-12 and travelling with England to Euro 2012, Rodgers now wants to help Henderson progress even further.
"I look at the young kid Jordan Henderson who got a wee bit of stick last year but do you know what, this is a boy who was 21 years of age," the boss told the Echo.
"I thought when I first saw him at Sunderland that this kid is going to be a really good player. He's coming to a massive club and massive expectation.
"He moves away from home, he is on his own and he has to be a world beater straight away. It was never going to happen."
A Carling Cup triumph in February and return to Wembley for the FA Cup final three months later preceded two showings for the Three Lions in Poland and Ukraine.
Rodgers feels he has seen enough already from the midfielder, though, and is confident he can mould Henderson to maximise his talents in a Liverpool shirt.
"This kid can play football," added the manager. "If he is in a certain system - in an environment which is going to help him and educate him in the game - you will see that.
"The biggest thing for me that I've heard about Jordan is his attitude. He has got an incredible attitude.
"If you have got a player like that who has got the ability and the thirst to learn - he can run all day, he is physically good, he is strong, he is quick - and you can remodel him.
"But of course last year was difficult for him. I've got a number of players like that, who I can hopefully wrench everything out of to get the maximum out of them."
Rodgers also discussed the future of Joe Cole, who is back in pre-season training at Melwood following his year-long loan with French club Lille during the last campaign.
The manager previously worked with the attacking midfielder while both were at Chelsea and the Northern Irishman is aware of the benefits Cole could bring to his team.
"I have worked with Joe in the past," he said. "I know his strengths, I know his qualities. When he first came here, it was difficult. He got sent off in his first game, he was injured and it was a bit broken for him. But I am assessing everyone."