Jordan Henderson says Liverpool’s latest wave of youngsters are ready to fire the Merseyside club into the top four of the Premier League and to further glory in future years.

The former Sunderland midfielder made a big-money move to Anfield in 2011, with his first year at the club ending in disappointment with an eighth-placed finish in the league.

However, with manager Kenny Dalglish replaced by Brendan Rodgers, and youngsters such as Raheem Sterling, Suso and Jonjo Shelvey impressing so far, the England Under-21 captain believes better times are ahead.

“It is a very young team, but that is a good thing for us, and for the future,” he told the club’s official website.

“But we aren’t just looking at the future, this team and these players are ready now, and I think they have shown that over the last few weeks.”

Liverpool have struggled for form this season and occupy 14th place after seven games, picking up just six points along the way.

The team are currently eight points off a Champions League place that the American owners desperately crave for the long-term stability of the club, especially with new plans to renovate Anfield being discussed.

A silver lining for Rodgers and Liverpool has been the form of younger squad members, with Sterling catching the eye on the wing, and both Suso and Shelvey making a case for being included in Rodgers’ first XI in future games.

Henderson captained England’s U-21 side to victory in the controversial clash with Serbia on Tuesday night, while Shelvey made his senior Three Lions debut against San Marino on Friday.