Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson insists taking the knee 'is STILL having an impact'

Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson believes that players taking the knee before matches is still making a difference in the fight against racism.

The Premier League made the gesture after George Floyd, a black American man, was murdered by a police officer kneeling on his throat in May 2020.

Captains of each English top-flight side banded together and agreed on taking the knee before matches, a gesture traced back to Martin Luther King.

A handful of players have stopped kneeling with Chelsea left back Marcos Alonso the latest star not to perform the motion ahead of kick-off, but Henderson insists the gesture is 'still having an impact'.

'Everybody's entitled to do what they will feel comfortable doing,' the Reds midfielder told GQ.

'I know Marcos is against any form of racism, so we're all fighting for the same thing here and we all have the same message.

'But, for myself and the players at Liverpool, I think we are still in favour of it and that it is still having an impact.'

Alonso followed through on his pledge not to continue taking the knee prior to Chelsea's Premier League matches in September.

The Spanish full-back offered his opinion that the gesture, made in solidarity with football's anti-racism movement, has lost its value and is no longer necessary before games.

Alonso revealed he would instead choose to combat racism in a different way before matches, joining the likes of Wilfried Zaha and Ivan Toney, who have also stopped the gesture.

Before the start of the 2021-22 season, top-flight players agreed to continue their stance, which began during Project Restart last year.

Crystal Palace talisman Zaha had called the act 'degrading', while Brentford striker Toney said players were being 'used as puppets' when taking the knee.

'I am fully against racism and every type of discrimination,' Alonso said.

'I just prefer to put my finger to the badge where it says no to racism, like they do in other sports and football in other countries.

'Maybe it's losing a bit of strength the other way, so I just prefer to do it this way and to show I am fully supportive.'