Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson has dedicated the Premier League Champions ‘first domestic league title in 30 years to Rangers manager Steven Gerrard.
Gerrard remains synonymous with the Anfield club after a near 20 year playing career on Merseyside which saw him win everything but that elusive Premier League title.
Refusing to move on to sides with stronger title pedigree – infamously including a particularly tempting offer from Chelsea – Gerrard stayed true to his beloved Reds.
Alongside Anfield legend Kenny Dalglish, Henderson echoed the earlier words of Jurgen Klopp about the title being a testament to the image, identity and foundations which Gerrard helped build.
“The manager mentioned it… this is not only for us as players and the fans, but it is also for players like Stevie and also Kenny [Dalglish] who mean so much to this football club,” Henderson said [LFC].
“I know how much it would mean to Stevie to win the Premier League title, he is so happy for us to be able to do that.
“I was devastated in 2014 that we couldn’t get over the line for him, but I know that he will be so happy and so proud of this team to be able to bring the Premier League trophy to Liverpool.
“And, yes, this one is quite personal for me and, definitely, to do it for him is quite big.
“When I first took over the role of captaincy, when people might have doubted me and criticised me as a person, I always said no one will replace Steven Gerrard at this football club. No matter what captains or teams win.
“No one will ever replace him.”
Henderson’s words come after an emotional Jurgen Klopp dedicated the title win to Gerrard and Dalglish following the Anfield club’s legendary title victory.
The German manager described Dalglish as the “soul” of Liverpool whilst he labelled Gerrard the “legs” in an open letter to Liverpool fans in the Liverpool Echo.
Rangers manager Steven Gerrard himself recognised Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson after his boyhood club’s well-deserved title victory.
The Ibrox boss took to Instagram to praise Henderson by saying he “couldn’t have passed it [the captaincy] on to a better person” before announcing he was “proud” of him.
According to Transfermarkt, Rangers boss Gerrard made 710 appearances for Liverpool, scoring 186 goals and winning eleven trophies, including that famous Champions League victory in 2005.
Gerrard is largely credited with inspiring an incredible comeback in the final against AC Milan with Liverpool 3-0 down at halftime.
The former England captain is said to have given a rousing half time speech before hauling Liverpool back into the match with a header and leading his side to victory on penalties.
