Jordan Henderson is getting used to lifting European trophies.

As Wednesday night turned into Thursday morning in Istanbul, Henderson lifted the Super Cup aloft after his Liverpool side triumphed on penalties against Chelsea.

Less than three months ago, an emotional Henderson was kissing the Champions League after their 2-0 victory over Tottenham in Madrid.

It represented an incredible turnaround for the former Sunderland midfielder, who has been close to leaving Anfield on numerous occasions.

Henderson arrived for £20 million back in 2011 and was forced to play out of position on the right of midfield.

Brendan Rodgers also tried getting rid of him in a swap-deal for Clint Dempsey in 2012.

But Henderson fought for his Liverpool career and, in 2015, was given the unenviable task of following in Steven Gerrard’s footsteps and becoming the next Liverpool skipper.

For years, he was criticised for simply not being Gerrard.

But in recent years, Henderson has grown into the role and has become a proper leader.

In fact, there’s a belief that he’s actually become a better captain than the legendary Gerrard.

Well, that’s the opinion of talkSPORT host Adrian Durham anyway.

Speaking after Liverpool’s Super Cup victory, Durham claimed that Henderson has now proven himself to be more of a leader than his predecessor.

"Obviously, there was a comparison when he became captain it was after Gerrard had finished and everybody thought it was impossible - how do you take over from Steven Gerrard?" Durham said.

"But I think there's a case to say that if it wasn't for the fact Steven Gerrard was Liverpool born and bred, people might consider Jordan Henderson to be a better captain and a better leader.

"Leadership isn't really about huddles and rallying cries, it's about actually doing it unnoticed.

"You've got three or four of the best players in the world right now at Liverpool, in Allison, Mane, Salah and Van Dijk and they all look up to Henderson and he commands their respect.

"He might not be one of the best players in the world, but in terms of leadership he commands that respect among a team of superstars.

"With the greatest of respect, Steven Gerrard wasn't ever leading that level of player, he was leading players who were beneath him.

"So I think it's really important to establish just what a brilliant leader Jordan Henderson is.


"People might say: 'hang on a minute, what about what Gerrard did in Istanbul in 2005?'

"But did you see what Henderson did against Barcelona, on the greatest night any Liverpool fan has ever had? The best night of football at Anfield and Jordan Henderson was man of the match, he was the best player on the pitch for Liverpool."