Hendo honoured by armband chances
Only a select few have earned the privilege to lead out Liverpool as captain and Jordan Henderson considers it an honour to be in a position to do so.
The energetic midfielder, who was appointed as deputy to skipper Steven Gerrard last September, has taken the armband on seven occasions for the Reds.
Humble to the last, Henderson speaks in slightly hushed tones when asked to express the feeling of captaincy and the responsibility it entails at Anfield.
"It is an incredible feeling to lead Liverpool out, such a huge club," the England international with 168 appearances here tells Liverpoolfc.com.
"Just to put the shirt on and play for Liverpool is a massive honour. So to captain the side is incredible. It was a great feeling for me to do that, and hopefully I can do that whenever I'm needed."
It wasn't always this way for the No.14. The most optimistic character may not have predicted his rise to this position two-and-a-half years ago.
A testing maiden campaign with Liverpool left Henderson needing to convince the doubters, a task accomplished during progressive back-to-back seasons.
As ever, there is honesty in his assessment. "Things change quickly in football - I always thought and knew that," the 24-year-old continues.
"I have just tried to stay focused on what I need to do as a player, for me personally and also the team. I continue to just keep working as hard as possible.
"Hopefully, when I'm needed to lead the team out - as I have done this season at times - I make sure I'm doing it to the best of my ability. Learning a lot from Stevie has really helped me do that."
With Gerrard nursing a hamstring injury, Henderson's leadership qualities may be called upon for today's FA Cup fifth round tie at Crystal Palace.
The captain will of course bid farewell to the Reds at the end of the season, but his compatriot insists he takes nothing for granted regarding the permanent role.
"If it does come, obviously I would love to do it," is the response. "But at the same time, we have got plenty of leaders in the group that could take the job on.
"That's just up to the manager's decision on what he wants to do. My focus in on this season and playing my best for the team, to do the best that we can.
"Whether that's winning trophies or kicking on in the Premier League to get into the top four for the Champions League, that's all I'm focused on and then next season we'll just see where we're at."
In the meantime, Henderson will be maximising every second he spends alongside Gerrard to continue learning from the talismanic Liverpool icon.
The former Sunderland man concludes: "I have always done that anyway. Watching him when I was younger, he was an idol to a lot of us.
"Then coming to train with him every day and play with him, I've always looked at what he does and taken on board what he has told me and what he does on and off the training field.
"That hasn't really changed. Everybody will miss him, not only as a player - a huge player - but as a person off the field as well. He is great to have around, a huge leader and huge figurehead for this football club and for us as a team."