Steven: Jordan can be a Liverpool leader
Steven Gerrard is convinced his newly appointed understudy, the Reds' vice-captain Jordan Henderson, has the necessary attributes to one day lead Liverpool.
Gerrard lavished his teammate with praise following the Reds' dramatic return to Champions League action on Tuesday night, insisting Henderson's new standing at the club came as no surprise.
Ludogorets Razgrad were beaten 2-1, but not before the Liverpool skipper himself was called upon to demonstrate precisely what the armband necessitates during the game's final moments.
Once again, Gerrard was required to land the decisive blow from the penalty spot, safe in the knowledge that a swing of his right boot could be the difference between joy and despair on an important Anfield occasion.
When he rifled calmly into the Kop net in the 92nd minute, joyous scenes engulfed all four corners of the ground, meaning maximum points had been secured in the Reds' opening Group B fixture.
Afterwards, Gerrard was pressed for his thoughts on Henderson's appointment, a decision announced on Monday in acknowledgement of the midfielder's impressive recent rise to prominence for both club and country.
"It's very well deserved and it's no surprise to me," the No.8 told Liverpoolfc.com. "I'm sure he'll be the main man - the club captain - in a few years when I have gone.
"He epitomises everything that a captain is. He works hard on and off the pitch. He's well-liked in the dressing room. He leads by example and, let's not forget, he's a top player as well."
Henderson gave another tireless display on a night when he admitted stepping out to a raucous Anfield din as Liverpool vice-captain 'meant everything'.
Ludogorets' obstinacy and resolve demanded that he and his teammates fought from start to finish under the floodlights, and the Bulgarians refused to submit even when Mario Balotelli fired Liverpool ahead with nine minutes of normal time remaining.
The visitors levelled in the 90th minute, but their supporters could only watch in dismay as, moments later, Gerrard's penalty at the other end of the field set the home side back on course for a precious three points.
Reflecting on a testing night, Gerrard admitted: "I think the team will get better as the season progresses. We have a lot of new faces who are all trying to find their feet and settle in.
"I think there's a lot of expectancy on us because of how well we performed last year. It will take time to get back to that level, but that will happen. Hopefully sooner rather than later. Sometimes you've got to crawl before you can walk."