Jordan Henderson's Liverpool Promotion Is Good Timing for Steven Gerrard

The timing of Liverpool's announcement of Jordan Henderson as the club's new vice-captain was no coincidence. It came amongst a very busy period of matches, leaving question marks over whether Steven Gerrard can play every game, every week.

Following last Saturday's defeat to Aston Villa at Anfield, Henderson's vice-captaincy was announced on Monday night, before the 2-1 Champions League victory over Ludogorets.

With the Reds traveling to West Ham this Saturday (September 20), a League Cup third-round tie at home to Middlesbrough on Tuesday (September 23) and the Merseyside derby against Everton next Saturday (September 27), the games are coming thick and fast for Brendan Rodgers' side.

The Right Vice-Captain

Gerrard's experience and leadership are attributes that have ensured he has remained a constant figure in the Liverpool first team even when his form has dropped in patches over recent years.

Henderson is already showing those qualities and leading the team, whether he's yet to wear the captain's armband or not.

Conducting himself in the most professional manner on and off the pitch, Henderson is a role model for the younger players at the club, having come to Anfield as a 21-year-old.

He understands the importance of playing for Liverpool and embraces the pressures and rewards that come with that, becoming a mainstay of the first team.

Only last month Henderson spoke of how he tries to influence the team in terms of leadership, as per the club's official website.

I try to help people as much as I can.

Whether that is giving them confidence or instruction, I try to do as much as I can to help the team. I think that’s important sometimes.

That’s just the way people are; some people are vocal, some people aren’t. People lead in different ways, whether that’s setting an example on or off the pitch.

It depends what type of person you are and everybody is different. I feel that we’ve got a good mix in the group.

In giving the 24-year-old England international the responsibility of being Gerrard's understudy, Rodgers is setting him up to be the club's captain in years to come.

Henderson can now use this time to work more closely with Gerrard and Rodgers, absorbing the roles that come with being a Liverpool captain.

As well as having a bigger voice in how the team is organised, Henderson can expect to learn the ambassadorial responsibilities that come with being captain of a club with such stature as Liverpool.

Resting Gerrard

After years of turmoil, Liverpool have risen to the top of football again—competing for the Premier League title against the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea, and in the Champions League where they will soon face current European Cup holders Real Madrid.

That calls for the strongest of players on a regular basis and whilst it's hard to argue that Gerrard falls into that category, it would be a lot to expect the former England midfielder to play two matches every week to the high calibre we have come to expect from the Liverpool skipper.

There have been times this season and last where Gerrard is looking sluggish, off the pace of Liverpool's ferocious game speed. Tiredness creeps in faster than it has done before.

With Henderson ready to take the leadership responsibilities, the need for Gerrard to play every game becomes less of an issue. Replacing his position as the deep tip of the midfield diamond is another personnel dilemma, however.

Gerrard still has a massive role to play at Liverpool, but in order to preserve him to play at the highest level he can, regular rests will be essential. That is where Henderson steps up to the fold.