Liverpool vice-captain Jordan Henderson commits to new long-term contract

Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson has signed a new long-term contract at Anfield, the club have confirmed.

Henderson, 24, is widely expected to be named the new club captain following Steven Gerrard's departure at the end of the season.

The England international, who arrived from the club from Sunderland in 2011, has been in talks over a new deal throughout the season and is delighted to have signed up for the 'next phase' of Liverpool's project.

"I'm over the moon that it's finally done," he told the club's official website. "There has been talk about it for a while now. It's brilliant news for me to commit my future to this football club.

"I really feel that it's a good time for us to look forward to the future, with the squad we've got, the manager, the size of the club and the fans we've got. I really think, over the next few years, we can challenge and start winning trophies.

"That's the next phase; we've improved massively over the last few years and I think the next phase for us is to start challenging for titles and trophies as well."

Henderson's future at the club was in doubt upon Brendan Rodgers' appointment in the summer of 2012. But the powerful midfielder now stands as one of the club's most important players and has joined Daniel Sturridge and Philippe Coutinho in signing new long-term deals this season.

Manager Brendan Rodgers said: "He has faced adversity in his time at Liverpool, but his improvement, growth and development is entirely down to his own hunger, commitment and willingness to learn and be better.

"The fact he has made such a long-term commitment to Liverpool is a sign of his belief in what we are looking to do here. He will have a crucial role to play as we look to take this side forward and look to add success to the progress we have made."

BBC Sport claim Henderson's new deal will run until 2020 and is worth £100,000 per week.