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It was tough, felt like a breakup – Jordan Henderson shares post-Liverpool experience
It was tough, felt like a breakup – Jordan Henderson shares post-Liverpool experience
By: Abigail | 2 mins read
Former Liverpool captain and former Al-Ettifaq forward Jordan Henderson has opened up about an emotional fallout he experienced after his abrupt exit from Liverpool in mid-2023.
Having played Liverpool for about twelve years (12), a reduction in his playing time during the 2022–2023 season, particularly in the second half of that campaign.
His role shifted from guaranteed starter to rotational squad member as Liverpool refreshed their midfield, followed by conversations with Klopp that made him feel he was beginning to lose his value to the club at the time.
Consequently, his decision to leave at such an unexpected period, when he had led the club to win the FA Community Shield in July 2022. He admitted that the post-Liverpool exit was a tough one for him. On his move to Saudi he said he could have made a better decision.
He said, “I am not going to lie, over the past couple of years, I have had some tough moments. It felt like a break-up when I left Liverpool. Of course, I’m not perfect, and I’ve made mistakes in the past. Of course, I will have throughout my career. But all I’ve ever tried to do is the right thing.”
H faced massive backlash from both pundits and some Liverpool fans, particularly for deciding to move to an Aran country, where the rights of LGBTQ were not recognised and entertained as an ardent advocate for the community. Many attributed his missing out on Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2024 squad to his move to Saudi Arabia and out of the Premier League.
Addressing it, he denied the claims, saying, “I don’t think it was the reason why I missed the Euros,” he said. “When I was in Saudi Arabia, I think I was in every camp before the Euros. Timing, with everything in hindsight, yes, maybe I would have made different decisions.”
However, currently, the 35-year-old is back in Europe, playing for Brentford since leaving Ajax in July this year. He apologised for letting down or hurting anyone in the community when he left Saudi Arabia to join Ajax six months later.
Henderson has won 85 caps since making his England debut against France in 2010.
He is in Tuchel’s squad to play Wales and Latvia this week and feels he still has plenty to offer on the pitch.
“The most important people are the manager, the coaching staff and the players and what they think,” said Henderson.
“Ask them what they think, if I am a cheerleader when I am here. I don’t think one of the best managers in Europe would be choosing me just to do that.”
