LIVERPOOL, England - Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson has been appointed club captain after Steven Gerrard joined the Los Angeles Galaxy.

The 25-year-old Henderson has grown in influence since joining Liverpool four years ago from Sunderland and assumed the armband last season in games Gerrard did not start.

Henderson, who also plays for England, described the appointment as a "great honour and a huge privilege."

Manager Brendan Rodgers says he selected Henderson for the captaincy because he "shows total commitment to the game and is a role model professional."

The 35-year-old Gerrard, who was captain for 12 years, spent his entire career at Liverpool before officially moving to the Galaxy this week.

Gerrard told Sky Sports television: "I don't think there's a more fitting player to take that armband off me."