Ex-Sunderland star and Liverpool captain among early favourites to win Sports Personality of the Year

The Liverpool captain has played a key part in the Reds’ impeccable start to the season and is likely to be a key player for England at this summer’s European Championships.

Henderson, who scored one and set up another in Liverpool’s 4-0 victory over Southampton on Saturday, looks set to become the first Reds captain since Alan Hansen in 1990 to lift the Premier League trophy this campaign.

Liverpool are also in with a chance of winning the FA Cup and Champions League this year, and Henderson’s odds to win the sports personality trophy have been slashed from 50/1 to 11/1.

Sprinter Dina Asher-Smith is the early 5/1 favourite having finished third last year, while cyclist Laura Kenny and swimmer Adam Peaty can be backed at 7/1.

Henderson’s England team-mates Harry Kane (8/1) and Raheem Sterling (10/1) are also among the early frontrunners to win the award.

Lawrence Lyons, spokesperson for BoyleSports, said: “We’re only a month into 2020 but we've seen the first real move in this Sports Personality market off the back of Jordan Henderson's recent performances.

“Liverpool are cruising towards the league title and if the captain lifts any of the cups as well, his odds are sure to shorten further having already fallen into 11/1 from 50/1.”

Henderson came through Sunderland’s academy and made 79 appearances for the Black Cats before joining Liverpool in 2011.