Jordan Henderson is ready for the pressure and expectation of captaining Liverpool Football Club, according to teammate Kolo Toure.

The Ivorian centre-back, who won the African Cup of Nations with his country earlier this calendar year, believes that the void left by Steven Gerrard's departure will be difficult to fill.

Nevertheless, the ex-Manchester City and Arsenal veteran believes that having watched Henderson over the last two years - the midfielder is the right man to be given the armband when Liverpool legend Gerrard leaves.

"Saying goodbye to Stevie will be tough but the good thing is that there are others who have been learning from him and that will be really helpful," said Toure, speaking to the Liverpool ECHO.

"Jordan Henderson has always been really close to Stevie. They are always talking a lot and you can see that Stevie has prepared him well for a long time now,

"This is a boy who loves to take responsibility. That’s what I like about him, he’s very intelligent.

"Jordan likes to talk to experienced players and learn, not only on the pitch but off it as well.

"You can have a discussion with him and he listens. The boy is good.

"I like him as a captain and as a man. He’s honest. Every day in training he’s out there giving it 100% and that’s very important."

Gerrard bade farewell to Anfield last Saturday as the Reds fell to a 3-1 loss against Crystal Palace, though it did not affect the occasion.

Toure has been at Liverpool since moving as a free agent two years ago, but having lined up against the midfielder for other Premier League clubs, says that he has always been a leading example.

"Stevie has been the main man for this club for so long," he added.

"When you lose a man like that it’s difficult for everyone. This guy has been amazing. Everyone coming here has always looked at him as an example.

"He’s a fantastic leader. It’s not just what he does on the pitch but also off it. He’s amazing with players.

"I feel that Stevie wants to go but Liverpool will still be in his heart."

Toure insists the loyalty Gerrard showed throughout his Liverpool career is a "fairytale" achievement, but that Henderson can be the leader for a new generation of heroes at Anfield.

"When I think of Stevie for sure I think about the final in Istanbul," he said, when asked about his greatest memories of the Reds' skipper.

"He set the example that night. He never gave up. There is no better moment than that to show the commitment he has. That mentality to always fight.

"The difference between him and other players is that he has never left this club. That’s why he’s so different, the fact he’s spent his entire career here.

"I have played for three clubs in England now but Stevie has only been here. He could have left many times before but never did because he loves his hometown club.

"It’s like me playing for ASEC Mimosas in Ivory Coast for all my career. It’s like a fairytale. A career spent playing for your city, your people. You can’t match that.

"It’s like (Francesco) Totti at Roma and (Paulo) Maldini at Milan. Stevie is in a very small group.

"Now Stevie is going it’s like the start of a new generation. It starts with players like Jordan Henderson who have learned from Stevie."