Who would be your next permanent Liverpool skipper…?
Current vice-skipper Jordan Henderson knows that he’s not guaranteed to get the gig permanently upon Steven Gerrard’s exit, with Brendan Rodgers having a number of potentially viable options as next captain.
“Next season we’ll see what happens because it might not be me succeeding Stevie, it might be someone else,” Henderson said.
“There are a lot of strong leaders in the dressing room. There are a lot of big characters in the team – down to earth humble people.
“Mama (Sakho), Emre (Can) and Skerts (Martin Skrtel) have developed a strong collective understanding. You can see their passion, they’re desperate to win, they give everything.
“Studge (Daniel Sturridge) is a big character. Lucas (Leiva) is too. I can only do the current job the best I can.”
So – how do Henderson’s current competition for next season’s captaincy rank?
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5) Emre Can
He only arrived in the summer – and he only turned 21-years-old very recently, but due to Can’s will to win, ability to drive through midfield and rouse his teammates through good times and bad – some fans are already calling for him as a potential skipper. Kolo Toure thinks than Can is nailed on to wear the armband one day, and we’ve included some tweets that back up the Ivorian’s words…
“Right now Jordan Henderson is very good (as captain) but there is no doubt this boy [Can] is going to be a king here definitely because he is a top player and can make a difference in games,” he said two days ago.
“He can score goals and his work-rate is amazing – there is no better player.”
4) Mamadou Sakho
The giant Frenchman has barely put a defensive foot wrong this season. Sakho’s a key member of our back-three, and were it not for injuries, we think he’d probably be one of the first names on the team-sheet now. He does plenty of work in the community, and is the kind of likeable, proper character who encapsulates the values a Liverpool skipper should. What’s more – he skippered PSG when he was just 18 – and is still their youngest ever captain.
3) Lucas
When Steven Gerrard leaves, Lucas, who arrived from Gremio in 2007, will be Liverpool’s longest serving player. The Brazilian endured a torrid time at the club early on, and was even booed by the Kop once, but he bounced back brilliantly to win a Player of the Year award and make many fans eat humble pie. This term, when fit, he’s been nothing short of sensational – but his consistent injury problems make him a difficult choice as permanent skipper, despite his experience and loyalty to the club. He’s unlikely to get it – but we think his role in the dressing room is a vitally important one – and hope he stays at the club for years to come.
2) Martin Skrtel
The powerful Slovak leads our three-man defence from its heart. The position is perfect for that of a captain, and at 30-years-old, Skrtel is in his peak defensive years and has a wealth of Liverpool experience to boot. Rodgers clearly rates him extremely highly, and whenever Gerrard and Henderson have both been off the pitch this term – Skrtel’s worn the armband, usually with aplomb.
1) Jordan Henderson
If Henderson wasn’t the stand-out favourite to replace Gerrard, he certainly is now after his claim for the armband this season… In our legendary captain’s absence through injury, we haven’t lost a single match Henderson’s skippered. Not only is he verbal, but recent performances have shown that like Gerrard, he can lead by example too – with two long-range beauties helping us secure wins over Manchester City and Burnley. Henderson speaks excellently in the media, and has his best years ahead of him. The captaincy could actually help the England international maximise his ability, and like Gerrard – it’s plausible that he could end up skippering his country, too.