Every big club needs an icon; somebody to look to when times are tough. For years, Liverpool have had that player in Steven Gerrard. However, with the iconic captain's departure looming, someone will have to take up that role, and it's Jordan Henderson who is increasingly being put forward as Gerrard's replacement
Can the 24-year-old really take up his mantle?
So far this season, the Sunderland-born player has been in fine form.
Helping to turn the Reds' season around with a series of convincing displays, Henderson has been a revelation.
Nevertheless, though some die-hard fans might beg to differ, there are aspects of his game that need to be improved.
Here, we outline exactly what he could refine between now and the next campaign.
Ability to score goals needs to be looked at
In all competitions so far this season, "Hendo" has rattled the net on five occasions, making him the joint-third best goalscorer in the team.
In contrast, Gerrard has scored 10 times, six of which have come in the league. When you consider that Liverpool's usual captain has been out injured for quite some time, you begin to see exactly just how prolific he can still be.
Henderson has not been as deadly in front of goal as his fellow team-mate has so often been. And it's something he needs to work on.
On many occasions this season, the 24-year-old midfielder has been deployed at the front of a midfield three, where he's been given the opportunity to become a force in front of goal. He's also seen himself played slightly further back, where his assists have proven a real menace to opposing sides.
True, being a central midfielder means that goals are not your main priority, but when he possesses a superb strike of the ball from long range, it's vital he makes it count a lot more than he has.
A reminder of his superlative goal against reigning league champions Manchester City proves he can do it against the best—why not do it more often?
Looking at the way he uses the runs of others before darting into space confirms his capacity to have an impact as a goalscorer, it's just a pity he's not been able to do it often enough. Perhaps next season will see the young starlet emerge as a contender for the club's highest-scoring midfielder.
He has to craft his own leadership role over time
So far this season, Henderson hasn't had the chance to cement his role as the true captain of the team with Gerrard interjecting at various points.
Speaking after Liverpool's recent league win over Burnley, manager Brendan Rodgers was keen to point out just how noticeable the young star's ability to lead has been, per the Mirror's David Maddock.
"I think Jordan is improving all the time. As he matures even more technically, he'll become even better. He's always had athleticism, and tactically he's improving all the time.
Technically, you see his qualities. His passing is improving. And he's becoming one of the real leaders of this young team. It was a wonderful performance by him and the team in general."
Indeed, he has improved tremendously since taking the captain's armband on a more regular basis.
And yet, he was always going to struggle to live up to the commanding presence of Gerrard, not least of all because he's still so young.
After all, there have been snapshots already this season that he doesn't quite possess the natural quality of a leader, and he's going to have to learn to gradually grow into that role.
A reminder of the penalty debacle, below, shows us that young "Hendo" needs to become more accustomed to making big decisions.
Having had the ball snatched off him by Mario Balotelli, he essentially allowed the Italian to go above his station. Even Gerrard himself felt the former Inter Milan striker showed the stand-in captain a great deal of "disrespect," as relayed by The Telegraph's Pete Oliver.
He needs to guide the club to silverware
Barking orders around the pitch and scoring goals for fun is all well and good, but the big element that needs to see a marked makeover is the club's trophy cabinet.
Long-serving captain Gerrard has been admired for his loyalty ever since he turned down countless opportunities to go to European and domestic rivals.
In saying that, his positive cachet with the fans is also embellished by the fact he's helped them to some memorable silverware—who could forget their Champions League triumph in Istanbul, fuelled by Gerrard?
And with the FA Cup final within their grasp, Henderson could himself become a trophy-winning captain much sooner than many had expected.
After all, there's no guarantee that the LA Galaxy-bound midfielder will slot back into their starting XI, despite how revered he is at the club.
In short, a first club trophy since 2012 would set Henderson on the track towards glory.
And with the confidence of a cup win under his belt, he would see the stresses and strains of expectancy and predecessors dissolve away in a flash. Although some might continue to draw comparisons and references to Gerrard even then, at least they will mainly be positive ones.
Putting in a convincing performance against a stubborn Blackburn Rovers outfit will ensure the ex-Sunderland player earns the right to wear the captain's armband at Wembley stadium. After that, it might well be his to keep.
Conclusion
Make no mistake, the deputy captain is a terrific player in his own right.
That said, he does need to replicate "Stevie G" in some regards.
As mentioned, every big club needs their general, and Henderson has the raw talent and the ambition to become that player for the Reds.
The Premier League might well be out of their reach, but they could still qualify for the Champions League.
With a driving force from midfield complementing the likes of Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge, it's likely they will achieve that goal. From there, Henderson can start to work properly on emerging from Gerrard's shadow.
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