It's another testament to the unflinching diligence of Jordan Henderson that when the Liverpool midfielder discovered last month that he was to become the club's new vice-captain, his focus remained firmly on football and not fanfare.

The 24-year-old was sat inside Brendan Rodgers' office at Melwood in September, briefly pausing personal preparations for the visit of Aston Villa to check in with the manager who has overseen his blistering progression during the past two seasons, when the news was delivered.

With long-serving defender Daniel Agger having departed for his home country before the closure of the summer transfer window, Rodgers required another deputy for Steven Gerrard and, following a period of consideration, opted for Henderson.

It was a decision that proved overwhelmingly popular with Kopites, among whom the No.14 has become a firm and considerable favourite, winning plaudits and praise for his ceaseless running, precise pressing in opposition territory and increasingly incisive passing.

Those same supporters will likely further be delighted with Henderson upon understanding the Englishman's reaction to being nominated as vice-captain, which can perhaps be summarised as 'now let's get on with the football'.

"We had a meeting in the manager's office at Melwood before the Aston Villa game," he recalled, in conversation with the official Liverpool FC magazine.

"I wanted to focus on Villa and only told my family and close friends afterwards before it came out in the press. They were over the moon. But it won't change how I am. Just because I'm vice-captain now doesn't mean I'm going to be captain in the future. I'm not taking anything for granted.

"The manager explained to me that he'd given the vice-captaincy a lot of consideration, but he didn't put any pressure on me. He wants me to crack on and carry on playing the way I have been for Liverpool and hopefully grow and improve again over time.

"It gives me a lot of pride. I've done it for England U21s and I've liked it. I've tried to lead by example. That's what I'll try to do here. It's a great honour to be given an important role at a club the size of this, with all its history.

"It's also encouraging that the manager has given me the extra responsibility. All I can do is keep doing what I've been doing and look to support Stevie in any way I can as well as the team, of course. For me, nothing changes.

"My attitude towards training and games will remain the same. I just want to try my best and help the team to win football matches. That's the most important thing."

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When the announcement of Henderson's appointment was made, the boss explained glowingly how the England international 'represents the best values of what we are all about, as a team and as a club'.

The working relationship between the two has continually strengthened since Rodgers' arrival in June 2012 - and, in discussing the mutually beneficial partnership, the player outlined why trust is a central component of the work they undertake together.

"It works both ways," he said. "Giving me the vice-captaincy is a sign he trusts me. I trust him. I've got a lot to thank him for really, in the way he's improved me as a player and also as a person off the field.

"The manager's got a brilliant relationship with all the players here. If you asked anyone else, they would probably give you the same response as I have. They'd speak highly of him."

So, as it stands, life is pretty good for the Sunderland-born star who made the switch to Anfield more than three years ago and is now vice-captain for Liverpool and a regular starter for the Three Lions at international level.

That aforementioned in-built desire to improve on a daily basis never allowed Henderson to actually dream of enjoying such a position, and nor will it expire now that he's achieved such lofty ambitions. Far from it, in fact.

He concluded: "I've never thought too far ahead, to be honest - you can't afford to. Life is too short. You focus on the little steps: what you need to do at the time.

"I wasn't always in the Liverpool team so my first aim was to get a place. Once I'd achieved that, my aim was to stay there and hopefully grow, being part of a successful side.

"It's the same now. I only think about the next game. I know it's a cliché, but that's all you can do. Every game is important, every training session.

"I try to give everything in training and take that into games. I use a lot of video analysis after games to try to learn where I can improve. Then I start again the following day."