Liverpool’s Henderson ‘buzzing’ over Euro 2012 call-up – Gerrard

Steven Gerrard admits his Liverpool team-mate Jordan Henderson is “buzzing” after being called up to England’s Euro 2012 squad as a replacement for the injured Frank Lampard.

Henderson, 21, trained with the England squad at Wembley on Friday ahead of the national side’s final warm-up game against Belgium on Saturday.

The Liverpool midfielder has struggled to live up to his £20m billing since arriving at Liverpool from Sunderland last summer – but Gerrard is backing his club team-mate to take his opportunity to impress in Poland and Ukraine.

“He is buzzing,” England captain Gerrard told a news conference at Wembley on Friday.

“He didn’t want it to happen in this situation with a player getting injured, but you have to take your opportunity and Jordan is a very exciting player and it is a great opportunity for him.”

He added: “It is a huge blow that Frank has had to go home. As players when you go out to train and play you have to give 100 per cent and can’t afford to hold back because you can pick up injuries.

“Training today was high tempo and physical but we all came through and fingers crossed we can all stay fit now.”

Gerrard also revealed that new Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers was the club’s unanimous first choice for the Anfield managerial role.

“Brendan Rodgers was the first choice,” he said. “I was in the loop the whole way through.

“I am excited and I am really looking forward to working with Brendan. I am looking forward to meeting him in person, but the focus now is Euro 2012.”

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