Jamie Carragher was full of praise for Liverpool’s first summer signing this week. In quotes taken by ESPN, the former Reds defender surprisingly claimed that the England international was even worthy of being captain.
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“The fact that Brendan Rodgers wouldn’t confirm Jordan Henderson as this season’s captain even though he was captain in Gerrard’s absence last season makes me think him and Milner could be competing for the armband,” he said. “Was that another thing that enticed Milner to join?”
The Reds are of course on the lookout for a new captain, with Steven Gerrard leaving us for LA Galaxy this summer. As Carragher states, Henderson remains one of the favourites for the position, but his comments have opened the door to a couple of possible alternatives.
We countdown our top five options in the list below…
5) Emre Can
The German’s leadership skills were quickly highlighted by the Liverpool management (via the Daily Mail). The midfielder turned emergency defender has had an excellent first season at Anfield and definitely looks the part for a future captain. However, to suggest he could take the armband as soon as next season might be pushing it. He needs to be playing regularly in his natural position before we can go as far as to call him the next Steven Gerrard.
4) Mamadou Sakho
He has plenty of experience of wearing the armband. He wore it for the first time in 2007 while playing for Paris Saint Germain, becoming the club’s youngest ever captain. He became PSG’s permanent skipper at the start of the 2010-11 season and enjoyed plenty of success in the role – including winning the Ligue 1 title in 2013. He has also also captained the French national team at every youth level, so the armband could bring out the best in him.
3) Martin Skrtel
Liverpool’s third choice captain during the 2014-15 season. If Brendan Rodgers decided to opt for experience then the Slovakian would undoubtedly be the man to go for – he’s played almost 300 games for us in all competitions and knows the club inside and out. Handing him the armband could even convince him to sign a new contract. His current deal expires at the end of next season and he’s recently been linked with a move away (via Sky Sports).
2) James Milner
The new man has captained England before, if only for the final ten minutes in a friendly against France back in 2010. However, he has all the leadership qualities to do a job for Liverpool if required – he’s experienced, with a good attitude and he should be able to help some of the younger players around him. Even if Henderson wears the armband there’s no reason why Milner can’t help the less experienced player develop to his new role as captain.
1) Jordan Henderson
He remains the favourite. He did an excellent job in Gerrard’s absence last season and you have to feel that this is a role he’s been groomed for during the last two years. The midfielder did not let the pressure of wearing the armband bother him last season – if anything it inspired improved performances. So let’s hope that if he does get given the responsibility that he continues that upward trend next season. He’s still a long way off Gerrard-level.
