In a recent revelation that has taken the football world by storm, Jordan Henderson, the former captain of Liverpool FC, has shed light on the circumstances surrounding his unexpected departure from the club. Henderson's move to Al-Ettifaq in the Saudi Pro League, managed by Steven Gerrard, was one of the summer's most surprising transfers. While Liverpool's intent to revamp their midfield was evident, few anticipated Henderson's exit.
Henderson, in a candid interview, expressed that despite his close relationship with Liverpool's manager, Jurgen Klopp, he never felt a strong desire from anyone within the club for him to stay. With the upcoming Euros, Henderson was keen on securing more game time, something he believed would be limited at Liverpool. He remarked, "There were a few things that sent alarm bells ringing... I knew that I wasn't going to be playing as much."
The midfielder, who had been with Liverpool from 2011 to 2023, further elaborated on the approach from Al-Ettifaq. The club's reaction to the approach was not an outright rejection, leading Henderson to feel that his value and significance within the team had diminished. "I knew that time would come at some point. I didn't think it would be now. And I had to accept that," he added.
One of the most poignant moments in the interview was Henderson's assertion that had Klopp or the Liverpool owners expressed a desire for him to stay, he would have remained with the club. "If one of those people (Klopp or FSG) said to me, 'Now we want you to stay', then we wouldn't be having this conversation," Henderson stated.
Henderson's tenure at Liverpool was marked by significant achievements. Taking over the captaincy after Gerrard's departure in 2015, he led the team to victory in the UEFA Champions League in the 2018-19 season and clinched Liverpool's first Premier League trophy in the 2019-20 season.
However, his move to Saudi Arabia, a nation where homosexuality is criminalized, has drawn criticism, especially given Henderson's advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights. Addressing this, Henderson mentioned a combination of limited offers and a desire not to play against Liverpool as factors influencing his decision to join Al-Ettifaq.
Liverpool's squad has seen other significant departures, with Roberto Firmino joining Al-Ahli Saudi FC and Fabinho moving to Al-Ittihad Club. In response, Liverpool has bolstered their midfield with signings like Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton, Dominik Szoboszlai from RB Leipzig, Watru Endo from VfB Stuttgart, and Ryan Gravenberch from Bayern Munich.
As the new season unfolds, it remains to be seen how these changes will impact Liverpool's performance on the field and whether Henderson's move will prove beneficial for his career.
