Jordan Henderson has admitted that he constantly questioned himself throughout the course of last season.
The 26-year-old midfielder was appointed Liverpool Football Club captain last summer, following the departure of Steven Gerrard from Merseyside.
Henderson was set for a big first campaign as Reds skipper until heel and foot injuries derailed his season and prompted plenty go negative thoughts from the man himself, let alone hordes of critics who felt he wasn't up to the task.
"There were times last season when I was very down because I wasn't playing and I questioned my contribution as captain because of that," said Henderson.
"There were a lot of things going through my head and though there was never a time when I didn't want the captaincy, or doubted whether I was the right man for it, there were times when it was hard to feel like the captain because I wasn't contributing on the pitch.
"I couldn't help on the pitch as I wanted so Milly [James Milner], as vice-captain, had to take the role. It was a very difficult time. I feel as though I've come through that now. I'm in a much better place, I feel very confident. I am ready to lead this team and win things."
Henderson added that he consistently felt helpless not being able to step out onto the park for Liverpool but now feels much more relaxed about his role as captain, particularly about not feeling alone in the job.
"The biggest thing for me last season was not the captaincy but not playing regularly," he added.
"When you're not playing it is difficult to feel that you are the leader of the team. You want to help but I couldn't. That's a big difference with this season – I feel good, I feel fit – but there are a lot of leaders in the team.
"There are big characters in the dressing room so I don't see it as reliant on me, or I have to replace Stevie or I have to do this or that.
"I might have felt that way a year ago and that was one of the negatives I'd say I had to work on – thinking I need to do everything when there are people around me who are just as big as leaders and who can drive the team on."
