There can be few better compliments for a young footballer than being identified as a potential long-term successor to Steven Gerrard's Anfield throne.
But that is the claim made in an exclusive interview with Liverpoolfc.tv by a man who knows Jordan Henderson the footballer perhaps better than anyone else.
Ged McNamee, Sunderland's Academy manager, who coached Henderson from the age of eight, has explained why he thinks Reds fans will come to love Henderson.
"Anybody who knows Jordan will tell you that he's just an absolutely smashing lad and anyone who's seen him play will tell you he's got bags of natural ability and a strong work ethic," he says.
"If you look at a young Steven Gerrard, he was all over the park, chasing down players and charging up the park too - trust me, Jordan has all of that in him.
"I think he could be a little star for Liverpool. He's versatile; he'll always keep going and will always give you 100 per cent. He's the kind of guy Liverpool fans will easily take to."
Henderson was firmly established as a star at the Stadium of Light prior to his switch to Merseyside - but McNamee admits there were times in his earlier days when Sunderland had doubts over whether he'd make it.
"Obviously he's been with us for a long time and he joined us from the age of eight and so we've been with him through the ups and the downs," he says.
"There were times you'd look at Jordan and you'd think 'There's something special about that boy' and then other times you'd see him struggling and you'd worry for him.
"It was only really when he turned 16, where we were forced into making a decision whether or not to give him a contract, which we began to realize what kind of special player we'd signed."
Henderson went on to make over 70 appearances for the north-east club and managed to win himself the Black Cats' Young Player of the Year award for the 2009-10 and 2010-11 seasons.
McNamee believes it was those difficult earlier experiences that made Henderson the player and person he is today.
"He's well rounded now, he's got his feet firmly on the ground and there really is no edge to him at all," he explains. "Thankfully we gave him that opportunity and to be fair to the lad he's taken it with both hands.
"Jordan will be the first to admit that he's got a lot of work to do before he catches Gerrard.
"Steven is a recognized international player, with tons of experience, but it's where Jordan wants to be and I think he can do it."
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