Brendan Rodgers backs Jordan Henderson to thrive as Liverpool skipper

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has predicted that Jordan Henderson will have an "outstanding year" after being named as club captain.

The 25-year-old was handed the armband earlier this month following the departure of long-serving skipper Steven Gerrard.

Rodgers, who has already heaped praise on Henderson during the Reds' tour Down Under, expects the Englishman to continue improving in the role.

"Jordan was one I thought about and once I saw him grow and develop as vice-captain, I felt sure he could be a captain," Sky Sport News quotes the Liverpool manager as saying.

"I told him to do it his way and have his own ideas and I think he'll have an outstanding year and really blossom with the captaincy."

Rodgers' charges ramped up their preparations for the new campaign by beating Adelaide United 2-0 in their latest pre-season outing earlier today.