Charlie Adam has paid a glowing tribute to former Liverpool teammate Jordan Henderson.

Adam has spoken of the massive strides Henderson has made in a Liverpool shirt.

“When I played with him he was a young kid coming in from Sunderland," said Adam to the Liverpool Echo.

“He was playing out of position, it was difficult for him to get into the central midfield but as time passed, his importance as part of the club evolved over the years.

“He's a mainstay of the team now, he's the captain.

“I think Liverpool are a very different team when he doesn't play. The dynamics of the team are different, he's very underrated.

“For me personally, I think he could be Player of the Year, that's how much influence he has on the team.

“You talk about Kevin De Bruyne, you talk about Harry Kane but Jordan Henderson as an individual sets the tone and the markers for everybody else to go and play.

“He's been terrific over the past few years and has grown into being Liverpool captain."

Adam enjoyed a single season at Anfield, and although the former Scotland international saw Henderson's burgeoning talent first-hand, even he couldn't foresee what lay in store for the then 19-year-old.

Adam said: “Did I envisage Jordan Henderson winning the European Cup as Liverpool captain?

“Probably not. But how things have changed, and he's become comfortable in the role and since coming in as a young lad starting out, every season he's got better and better.

“He's played his best football this season that he's probably ever played.

“He's worked his way into the role and is a terrific role-model for young kids on and off the pitch, you never see him in the press for anything wrong."