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What else can be written about Jordan Henderson?

The boy who turned into a star. From much-maligned to key man. The shrinking violet who became vice captain of Liverpool FC.

Everybody knows how he was nearly shipped off to Fulham, only to salvage his Anfield career and become one of Brendan Rodgers' most trusted players.

Everyone knows how the Kop would groan at every touch, but now purr and murmur as he races around the pitch.

It has all been discussed, dissected, dealt with.

But just how the midfielder reached this point is for debate. Rodgers did not simply come into Melwood, click his fingers, and see Henderson grow in stature.

Indeed, it is forgotten just how promising Henderson had been at Sunderland – and then how he played too often, and too much out of position, in his first season on Merseyside.

He arrived at Liverpool as a midfielder who had created 83 chances in 2010/11 for Sunderland, aged just 20. He contributed in seven of the Black Cats' 45 league goals, made 1,334 successful passes and won 62 tackles.

But then he became a young player stationed out wide, scared to open up defences with passing, and limited in what he could do in the final third.

Henderson didn't simply develop – he evolved. Here's the five stages of evolution he has underwent during his time under Rodgers and how, gradually, Henderson has become the player he has.

Doing more in the final third

Henderson arrived at Liverpool with a reputation of being a player with good delivery with his right foot, and with the ability to run from deep and cause problems in the opposition's area. But in his first season at Anfield, he scored just twice, contributed one direct assist and created just 31 chances.

When he was given his chance under Rodgers, he was moved from his deeper, peripheral role on the right, to a more advanced role, either central or tucked inside off the wing. Of his five goals scored, three came from late runs from deep, with his intelligence undoing the high defensive lines. He also assisted four goals and made 33 chances.

Although he scored just four in 2013/14, he was much more creative further up the pitch. He moved the ball quickly, thriving off the speed of Liverpool's attacks, and assisted with seven goals, creating 62 chances. This season has seen him doing more of the same, even if the attacks lack the speed of last season, creating 15 chance so far and having a hand in four of the Reds' league goals.

It is also worth noting last season, Henderson attempted an average of 1.4 shots per game - more than any other season in his career.

Jordan Henderson chances created 83 2010/11 (Sunderland) 31 2011/12 33 2012/13 62 2013/14 15 2014/15 (so far)

More pro-active without the ball

In his maiden season with the Reds, Henderson was very much a player whose game was based on running. His stamina, energy and endeavour saw him buzz around the right side of the pitch, closing down the opposition players out wide.

This was reflected in an impressive 54 interceptions (he had made 64 at Sunderland the previous season, so was simply continuing what was deemed a good asset).

But that number has fallen under Rodgers' guidance and, with 32 and 34 interceptions in 2012/13 and 2013/14 respectively, channeled his running in a far more productive manner.

Though he still intercepts balls, he now engages directly with the opponent. His pressing game is still excellent, but he will now also do more than simply narrow angles, and instead look to take the ball. He won just 24 tackles in 2011/12, but that increased to 30, then to 59, and he has already made 16 this season.

Jordan Henderson successful tackles

More confidence in possession

Henderson's growth in confidence has been evident both on and off the ball, but he has clearly become stronger when the ball is at his feet. At Sunderland, he managed to beat his opponent 24 times, but that fell drastically in his debut season at Anfield with just 13 successful take ons.

Now, Henderson has become a key part of Rodgers' style, which sees his midfielders take their opposite number out of the game with a drop of the shoulder.

He was managed carefully in 2012/13, and made just 13 attempts to go past a player - with five successes. But last season saw that increase to 43 attempts, with 19 successes. He has a 50% success rate this season, but with just four attempts, showing how he is still adapting that aspect of his game.

Interestingly, the percentage of forward passes has increases year-on-year under Rodgers - and is a stark contrast to his first season at the club, when just 38% were forwards (although that doesn't account for sideways passes). In 2012/13, 56.6% of his passes were forward. That rose to 58.8% last season, with this season seeing his rate up to 63.8%.

Forward passes are not always beneficial - indeed, it is what you do with the ball that ultimately counts - but it shows his confidence in possession. Furthermore, his pass accuracy has improved every season.

Jordan Henderson forward passes (%)

More responsibility

Whereas Henderson was not regarded as a central part to the side in his early years, his influence - and importance - has grown.

He was one of Sunderland's key men, finishing the 2010/11 season having made 1,334 successful passes. But despite playing a similar number of league games in his first season at Anfield, he made nearly 100 fewer. That fell further in 2012/13, although he played less minutes, to 985 passes.

But last season, he made an astonishing 2,007 passes. Not only does that prove how he was seen as a player to create for Liverpool, but simply as confirmation of how he established himself as a first-team player for the first time since joining the club.

With 439 passes this season, he now averages more successful passes than any other Liverpool player with 64.3 per game.