Adam Lallana has claimed that the "unbelievable" Jordan Henderson has reached a new level with Liverpool this season.
Henderson has played a key role in Liverpool's resurgence in recent months, and Lallana believes that the England international, who scored in wins over Manchester City and Burnley in the past week, could be benefiting from captaining the side in Steven Gerrard's absence.
"He's unbelievable," Lallana told reporters. "For me Jordan has matured as a player over the last two years and has now kicked on to another level, even with the armband.
"I was lucky enough to be captain at Southampton and it does give you that little bit extra. It seems it is doing the same to him as well.
"Confidence is a big thing in any time in any walk of life, and we have that in abundance at the minute, and I think it is showing."
Gerrard could return to play alongside Henderson in midfield when Liverpool meet Blackburn Rovers in the last eight of the FA Cup on Sunday.