Charlie Adam has backed "magnificent" Jordan Henderson to continue as Liverpool's captain after Jurgen Klopp snapped a reporter for questioning the skipper's future.
Henderson, 32, has won eight trophies and played nearly 500 games for the Reds since arriving from Sunderland in the summer of 2011. He succeeded Steven Gerrard as captain four years after his arrival and has played a key role in their success under Klopp.
Yet Henderson’s role at Liverpool has been questioned this season, as Klopp’s side battle to qualify for the Champions League. The Community Shield holders will not win a major trophy this term and are six points behind Tottenham in fourth.
Some critics believe it is time for Klopp to rebuild his Liverpool squad, yet Adam thinks Henderson will continue to be involved for a while yet.
Adam arrived at Anfield from Blackpool during the same summer as Henderson before joining Stoke 12 months later. Speaking to Mirror Football on behalf of the EFL’s Together - Supporting Communities initiative, Adam was asked whether he saw Henderson succeeding Gerrard as Liverpool’s skipper.
Adam replied, "Over the years, he’s progressed to become a leader and a vocal voice in the Premier League – in terms of what he’s done through the pandemic and what he’s done for his country. It’s been unbelievable.
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"Whoever replaced Steven Gerrard as captain was always going to be difficult, but you can do it in different ways. I think Jordan has led Liverpool extremely well; I think he’s been a real leader and captain. He’s a lad who’s put everything into his career. He’s been dedicated for a number of years, and he’s been rewarded with such a wonderful career.
"But I don’t believe he’s stopping. I think he’s still got a lot [of time] to go and still got a lot to give to Liverpool. He’s been magnificent… the longer he stays at Liverpool, the more success they will have."
Henderson has lifted the Premier League title, Champions League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup, Club World Cup, European Super Cup and Community Shield since he was appointed Liverpool’s skipper. Yet some fans are keen for Klopp to revamp his midfield, with Jude Bellingham thought to be a transfer target.
Klopp was asked about Henderson’s role in the team last month. "I don’t understand why we are talking about one player, I mean it," replied the German. "Everybody knows how much I respect him. I don’t like saying this but it’s true, you are not able to deal with these kinds of things.
"One player becomes the subject, 'Henderson is this, Henderson is that'. Hendo is not our problem. Never was and never will be. When he is fit and in good shape, he played 98 per cent of the games we had. He played all these games because he’s a very, very, very important player for us.
"There’s nothing... I understand that you have to think about subjects, but I cannot answer this question. Yes he’s important and how much did we miss him, a lot."
Adam was speaking at Blackpool FC for the EFL's ‘Together - Supporting Communities’ campaign, supported by EFL partner eBay through the provision of almost 3,000 match tickets. "They [Blackpool] support loads of families around the area," explains Adam.
"[It runs] five times a week, in terms of food and heating and bringing young kids to bring play games... just to help the community. It’s place where I live. I understand what’s going on in the area... it needs help and support, and the football club have reached out because the owner is a local lad and wants to get into the community.
"It’s a great initiative. At times, there’s 150 people. I think over the Christmas period, there’s 150 people turning up every night. Those numbers have slowed down a bit [as we approach the summer], but they’re still getting 50 or 60 people a night... It’s great the football club are willing to support this and help the community."
