Captain Jordan Henderson has vowed that Liverpool will do whatever they can to support Stephen Darby.

The England midfielder has paid tribute to the former Reds full-back, who announced his retirement from football at the age of 29 last week after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease .

Academy graduate Darby made six senior appearances for Liverpool before moving on to Bradford City and then Bolton.

"On behalf of the current first team I would like to express our support for Stephen Darby," Henderson said.

"As a son and also a father, my heart goes out to Stephen and his family.

"As a footballer, I think I speak for everyone in the game when I say that the retirement of such a talented player at such a young age, under these circumstances, is heartbreaking.

"I know the football community will now close ranks behind Stephen because that is what we do at times like this and that will apply especially at Liverpool where Stephen is remembered fondly as a very good player and an even better person."

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(Image: James Maloney)

In his programme notes, Henderson added: "Stephen has asked for his privacy to be respected and I would reinforce that message because the most important thing right now is that he is afforded all the time he needs to spend with his family.

"I know it's a cliché but what's happened to Stephen puts everything else into perspective and my thoughts are with him."