Liverpool Echo journalist James Pearce has claimed Jordan Henderson is “key” to the Reds’ future.
The 26-year-old is Liverpool’s club captain, but he spent a large part of the 2016/17 campaign on the sidelines with a heel injury.
In an interview with Liverpool news website Rousing the Kop, Pearce claimed that Henderson is crucial to the club’s future.
He said: “It’s been a tough two seasons for Henderson but I still believe he’s key to Liverpool’s future.
“He should be fully fit and firing for the start of pre-season. He commands the respect of the dressing room and should retain the captaincy.
“Yes, he missed a lot of football last season but he also made 24 Premier League starts and made a huge contribution to that top-four mission. The manner in which he adjusted to that defensive midfield role was very impressive.”
Henderson played 27 league and cup games for the Reds this term and was a mainstay of their midfield prior to being sidelined in February.
He arrived at Anfield in the summer of 2011 from Sunderland for £15million, and he has since made more than 230 appearances in all competitions for the club, scoring 23 goals and providing 38 assists.
The 26-year-old has also been capped by England on 32 occasions, but he has not featured since the 2-2 friendly draw with Spain in November 2016.
Despite their captain’s absence Liverpool still managed to finish fourth in the Premier League, securing Champions League football for next season.
In the interview Pearce also stated he hopes Divock Origi and Lucas Leiva both stay at Anfield this summer, following speculation the pair could leave for differing reasons.
Pearce has been the Echo’s chief Liverpool reporter for the last six years.