Jordan: Stevie knew I wanted to improve

Henderson endured a difficult start to his Reds career after arriving on Merseyside in the summer of 2011 - but he insists Gerrard recognised from an early date that the new recruit was desperate to succeed at Anfield.

Seeing Henderson's determination and drive, the skipper devoted time and energy to ensuring that the youngster was made to feel at ease around Melwood, offering pointers for how to progress and regain confidence.

Sadness swept around the club's training base this week, though, when the same Gerrard announced to his teammates he intends to bring a glittering 17-year stay with the Reds to a close at the end of the current campaign.

When the Liverpool icon does depart Merseyside, Henderson, the vice-captain, will be aiming to step into his mentor's boots and don the armband full-time - a feat that would have seemed unimaginable for the midfielder just two years ago.

"He was one of the big reasons I came to Liverpool - to be playing with the likes of him every day," Henderson told Football Focus. "He's been fantastic for me and I couldn't thank him enough for everything that he's done for me.

"I was quite young coming into such a big club, but Stevie's been a massive influence on me, even when I was younger, just watching him play. So to come in and train with him every day was a bit strange at first.

"But he made me feel very at ease with him. He was very normal - a genuine person, who is very humble and that made me respect him even more when I came here. He was fantastic from day one.

"When things weren't going so well for me, he would give me advice and encouragement and I just always felt that he could see how much I wanted to improve and how much I worked hard on the training field and in the gym.

"I sensed that he always wanted me to do well. I think I've improved over the last few years and a lot of it is down to him."

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