In a revealing interview, Jordan Henderson has shed light on his departure from Liverpool, a club where he spent 12 years, including eight as captain.
His move to Saudi Arabian club Al-Ettifaq in a £12 million deal raised eyebrows and sparked discussions about his departure’s underlying reasons.
An Illustrious Liverpool Career
Jordan Henderson’s journey at Liverpool was marked by significant accomplishments.
The veteran midfielder, with 77 caps for England, arrived at Anfield from Sunderland in 2011.
During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in leading Liverpool to their first top-flight title in three decades, along with numerous major trophies, including the Champions League, FA Cup, two League Cups, the Super Cup, and the Club World Cup.
The Surprise Departure
Henderson’s long-standing association with Liverpool came to an unexpected end in July when he transferred to Saudi Arabian club Al-Ettifaq.
This move, worth £12 million plus add-ons, was financially rewarding and also reunited him with former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, who was now the club’s manager.
Impact on Liverpool’s Midfield
Henderson’s departure, combined with Brazilian teammate Fabinho’s move to the Saudi Pro League with Al-Ittihad, created a void in Liverpool’s midfield.
This intensified the club’s need for new signings in midfield, following earlier summer deals and the departure of several players, including James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and Naby Keita, along with injuries to key players like Thiago Alcantara, Curtis Jones, and Stefan Bajcetic.
Klopp’s Surprise and Henderson’s Conversation
Liverpool’s manager, Jurgen Klopp, expressed his surprise at Henderson’s exit, acknowledging the significant role he played in the club.
However, in an interview with The Athletic, Henderson revealed details of a private conversation with Klopp during the summer that raised “alarm bells.”
In this conversation, it became clear that Henderson would not be a regular part of the team due to the club’s plans to bring in new midfielders.
Feeling Unwanted
Henderson expressed his feelings of being unwanted by the club, something he found challenging to accept after his dedicated efforts to prepare for the new Premier League season.
He believed that both his value to the club and Liverpool’s desire for him to stay had shifted, which was a difficult realization to come to terms with.
Henderson’s Wish to Stay
The midfielder mentioned that he would have remained at Liverpool if Klopp or the club’s owners had explicitly expressed their desire for him to stay.
He clarified that he never felt forced to leave but emphasized that he did not feel wanted by the club or anyone within it to stay.
Conclusion
Jordan Henderson’s departure from Liverpool marked the end of an era for both the player and the club.
His revelations about feeling unwanted shed light on the complexities of player transfers and the emotional toll they can take.
Despite the move, Henderson’s contributions to Liverpool over the years will be remembered as he embarks on a new chapter in his football career in Saudi Arabia.
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