During the summer of 2011, Kenny Dalglish's remit following his appointment as the permanent manager of Liverpool for a second time was to enhance the British influence within the playing squad.
After all, during the following campaign, only English-born Jamie Carragher, Glen Johnson and Joe Cole could better Steven Gerrard's return of 24 Premier League appearances.
The Reds were linked with a host of players that fit the criteria, including young Blackburn Rovers defender Phil Jones and Ipswich Town's England Under-21 international Connor Wickham.
While neither of that duo ultimately arrived at Anfield, British players Charlie Adam, Stewart Downing, Craig Bellamy and Jordan Henderson did, the latter of whom was unveiled four years ago today.
Sunderland had been reluctant to sell their homegrown youngster, who had made a big impact on the first team following his breakthrough in 2009.
The Black Cats rebuffed Liverpool's first bid - believed to be worth around £16m - but when the Merseysiders improved their offer by a further £4m, the 20-year-old was on the move.
"I'm over the moon, overjoyed to be here and I'm really looking forward to it," said the energetic midfielder.
"Obviously it's hard to leave your local club. I'm a Sunderland lad [and] I've supported them all my life.
"But I'm really looking forward to the future now and obviously this is a massive opportunity for me. I'm really excited by it."
Henderson went on to reveal that he was looking forward to playing alongside Liverpool captain Gerrard.
"[Gerrard] is one of the best players in the world, you want to be playing with him and training with him to try and improve yourself as a player. Hopefully I can learn a lot from him," added the one-capped England international.
The youngster initially struggled to adapt to life as a Liverpool player, to the point where Brendan Rodgers informed him upon his arrival as manager in 2012 that an offer from Fulham for his services had been accepted and that the club would not stand in his way of leaving.
However, a determined Henderson stayed put and he and Liverpool have since reaped the rewards of that decision.
During the 2013-14 campaign, the Wearsider established himself as one of the Premier League's best midfielders during a season in which Liverpool would fall just short of winning the title.
Now, with Gerrard heading for America and the MLS, it is widely expected that Henderson will be appointed the next permanent captain of the club, having taken the armband during Gerrard's absences last term.
Liam Apicella
