Stand-in skipper Jordan Henderson insists it is by no means a foregone conclusion he will succeed Steven Gerrard as captain when the Kop legend leaves Anfield.

Former England star Gerrard will leave the Reds and the Premier League at the end of the season for a new challenge in Major League Soccer with Los Angeles Galaxy.

Vice-captain Henderson has worn the armband recently during Gerrard’s spell on the sidelines with a hamstring injury and has not tasted defeat in 13 games.

However, the former Sunderland man says there are a number of candidates for the job of taking over from Gerrard on a permanent basis ahead of the 2015-16 campaign.

“Next season we’ll see what happens because it might not be me succeeding Stevie, it might be someone else,” Henderson told Liverpool FC magazine.

“There are a lot of strong leaders in the dressing room. There are a lot of big characters in the team – down-to-earth, humble people.

“Mama (Sakho), Emre (Can) and Skerts (Martin Skrtel) have developed a strong collective understanding. You can see their passion, they’re desperate to win, they give everything.

“Studge (Daniel Sturridge) is a big character. Lucas (Leiva) is too. I can only do the current job the best I can.”

Henderson and Liverpool are next in action on Monday night when they make the trip to the Liberty Stadium to face Swansea City.

The Reds are 1.97 to return to Merseyside with all three points, with the Swans 3.94 for the home win and the draw is 3.24.