Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson has insisted that playing under the leadership of Steven Gerrard has improved his own game.

The 24-year-old, who was named as Reds vice-captain last month, has pushed on for both club and country this season with a string of impressive displays.

"Stevie's probably not only the best captain for Liverpool and before with England, but in the game itself," Henderson is quoted as saying by the Daily Star. "Being around him has benefited me a lot. It's been huge. Every day I watch him. It's his desire to improve.

"He's been the best and most influential player here for such a long time but he still wants to get better. He takes training really seriously and sets the tone for how things should be. Everyone else follows. He does a lot of things that people on the outside don't see. On the pitch he's a great leader.

"You can see the goals, the passes and the tackles he makes; the way he inspires the team. But off the pitch he conducts himself brilliantly too. He's a genuinely nice person and everybody in the squad knows they can go to him. The most important thing is he puts the team in front of everybody else including himself. The most important thing is the team."

Henderson has made 10 appearances for Liverpool in all competitions so far this season.