Boss: Why Henderson can excel as a leader
Brendan Rodgers shared a simple, yet absorbing example of why Jordan Henderson possesses strong leadership attributes whether he wears the armband or not.
The midfielder was awarded the vice-captaincy this season, but was already assuming extra responsibility without any prompting in the previous campaign.
The Liverpool manager related a story from the business end of 2013-14, which provides excellent insight into the type of overseer Henderson is.
In his press conference on Thursday, Rodgers recounted: "This is a guy who at the end of last season, when we were in for the title and he was suspended for three games after his sending-off against Manchester City, without telling anyone, went to a club official and offered to do all the media commitments so the others could concentrate on their game.
"He didn't want any glory for it. He was thinking of the team, of all his colleagues who were undertaking a really important spell and he wanted to absorb their duties so they could focus on football.
"That's the type of young man he is. In my time here, he's grown from not just a top-class young player who can only get better, as he embraces different systems and tactics, but he's also developed as a leader, in part by watching Steven Gerrard in the role.
"And if he becomes the captain next season, he'll carry it out with great honour."
The Northern Irishman is confident Henderson's guidance abilities will grow, as the 24-year-old has a grasp of everything the job entails.
"I remember being sat talking to him for a length of time and it just meant an awful lot to him [to be made vice-captain]. It's not just about putting on an armband, to him it's so much more than that," said Rodgers.
"It's a representation of an iconic club, who over many years have had many great vice-captains, captains and players.
"Watching Steven closely over his time here, Jordan understands the prestige of the role and understands the leadership qualities that are demanded from it. He'll just get better and grow into it because he is very much a team player."