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Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has warned his players they have to start learning to live without Steven Gerrard, while he insisted that Jordan Henderson is ready to take over as captain when he departs. Gerrard, 34, wants to pursue a new challenge in Major League Soccer this summer, but will leave a huge void behind him. England midfielder Henderson was appointed vice-captain earlier in the season after Daniel Agger was sold, but Rodgers said he made that move specifically so Henderson could have time to observe Gerrard at close quarters. "It was one of the reasons I made him vice-captain," he said. "He has no greater captain to learn from and the idea of putting him in that role was for him to get in pole position to learn from a great how he behaves and works. "So when that day came when Steven did move on, you had someone who can offer that wisdom and knowledge and that is something he has been doing." Rodgers also said it is time for other players to start realising the responsibility now lies with them. "It has to come from within. I felt here in my time even when Steven was on the bench the team are looking for him to come into the game," he added. "This is an opportunity for the players from within to really go and step forward because come the end of the season he won't be here. "If we are not signing that profile of player it has to come from within. We have players here who are very keen and hungry to progress as a player. "I see the likes of even young Raheem Sterling showing leadership qualities coming through and over the years you will see him becoming that world-class talent who consistently performs. "We have enough players in that changing room who will now step up and show that character which makes successful teams." Information from the Press Association was used in this report.
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