Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson admits Steven Gerrard has been a huge influence during his time at Anfield.

When the Liverpool icon does depart Merseyside, Henderson, the vice-captain, will be aiming to step into his mentor's boots and don the armband full-time - a feat that would have seemed unimaginable for the midfielder just two years ago.

"He was one of the big reasons I came to Liverpool - to be playing with the likes of him every day," Henderson told BBC Football Focus. "He's been fantastic for me and I couldn't thank him enough for everything that he's done for me.

"I was quite young coming into such a big club, but Stevie's been a massive influence on me, even when I was younger, just watching him play. So to come in and train with him every day was a bit strange at first.

"But he made me feel very at ease with him. He was very normal - a genuine person, who is very humble and that made me respect him even more when I came here. He was fantastic from day one.

"When things weren't going so well for me, he would give me advice and encouragement and I just always felt that he could see how much I wanted to improve and how much I worked hard on the training field and in the gym.

"I sensed that he always wanted me to do well. I think I've improved over the last few years and a lot of it is down to him."