Steven Gerrard has told Jordan Henderson to take criticisms of his Liverpool captaincy on the chin.
Henderson is now in a third season possessing the Anfield armband, handed to him in 2015 following Gerrard’s departure to LA Galaxy that summer.
Questions still remain about the England international’s suitability in the role, with some fans continuing to debate his role as the Reds’ designated leader.
Support has come from Jurgen Klopp, with the Liverpool manager regularly praising Henderson’s influence despite ongoing doubts elsewhere.
And Gerrard says that the midfielder, 27, must accept the judgements which come his way as part of the responsibility of his on-field role.
He said: “The armband comes with big pressure and big responsibility, so Jordan probably gets judged differently to every other player – I did when I played.
“You don’t see that as being unfair, you just have to take it on the chin.
“I think we’re a better team with him in the XI, I think he brings an awful lot to the game that I appreciate as a midfielder.
“It’s one of these things, from game to game people change their opinions, it’s just part and parcel of being a player in this day and age with the social media and the attention on every single position.
“Players just have to accept it.”