Jordan Henderson has opened up on just how difficult it was to pass on his captain’s armband at Liverpool.
The Brentford midfielder was surplus to requirements at Anfield in 2023 having spent 12 years on Merseyside creating history.
Henderson is in the midst of a second wind at Brentford, even impressing Pep GuardiolaGettyMaligned in his early days, he eventually took over from Steven Gerrard as captain and would become the most successful in the club’s storied history in terms of trophy lifts.
Yet with Jurgen Klopp’s aging midfield needing a refresh and the Saudi Pro League splurging the cash, Henderson was shipped out to Al Ettifaq in 2023, and has now explained just how abrupt it was.
Speaking to the media after again being called up to Thomas Tuchel’s England squad, he recalled: “It was a really tough period when I left Liverpool, I was there for a long period of time, 12 years.
“Leaving Liverpool itself was huge and really difficult and at any point it was going to be hard because it had been my life for so long and then it is just gone like that… so I have struggled for a period after that.
“I couldn’t watch a lot of games, I certainly couldn’t watch Liverpool. I didn’t watch a lot of Premier League stuff then… probably picked the right place for that, I was half way around the world!”
Henderson then went even further, explaining how his £12million exit felt like the end of a relationship
“I was there for so long because I had such an attachment and I dedicated a large part of my life there,” he continued.
“When I left I found it really difficult and I suppose whatever I did or wherever I went it felt like a break-up.
“It was just difficult and I think if you asked a lot of players when they left a club, not just Liverpool but when you have been at a club for so long and you have that attachment to them whether you retire or move on.
“I think for a period of time that was hard but within time things change, you move on but I would say that was probably the most difficult time.”
Henderson won every trophy on offer at Liverpool but then it was over in an instantAFPWhy did Jordan Henderson leave Saudi Arabia?
Henderson was one of a flood of players to head to the Saudi Pro League, including former midfield colleague Fabinho who is still there.
For the Englishman his time playing under Gerrard at Ettifaq only lasted six months but he refused to speak badly of his time in Saudi.
He was booed upon his Wembley return and would later miss Euro 2024, and has now admitted he may have done things differently in hindsight.
“I don’t think it was the reason why I missed the Euros. When I was in Saudi, I think I was in every camp prior to the Euros,” he said.
“In hindsight, maybe I would have made different decisions, but at the time that is how I felt and the decision I made was for many different reasons and only I know the reasons, and in the end I tried to do the right thing.
“I thought it was best to do it at the time and then best to come back to Europe and play for Ajax, which I really enjoyed. It is a really good club, really good people, good players, good team-mates. I really enjoyed that experience and I am back in the Premier League now.
Henderson’s back in form and believes he’s justifying his England call upsGetty“I have loved being back and competing in the best league in the world, so you can look back and think ‘maybe I could have done this differently or maybe have done that’. But it was part of who I am and there were reasons for that and I did not do it off a whim, so in the end it has made me stronger.
“I am very thankful I have met the people I have and had those challenges to not only improve me as a player, but also as a person as well.”
What does Jordan Henderson think of England criticism
Shining at Brentford in a team many expected to struggle under rookie head coach Keith Andrews, Henderson now appears to be justifying his England call ups which were previously used as a stick to beat Gareth Southgate with.
Referring to claims he’s just included for his dressing room impact, Henderson said: “The most important people are the manager, the coaching staff and the players, and what they think.
“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.
“I have shown what I can do for England over the years. I am still playing at a high level. Outside, people can think what they want. Media or whoever.
Henderson is silencing the boos with EnglandGetty“I am here to perform, whether that is in training every day, whether that is when I am on the pitch. My main job is to be performing for the team and helping the team.
“If I have to speak to younger players, that should be a given really. It is natural that the older you get, the more experienced you are, of course you want to pass on those experiences to younger players coming into camp. Training every day as best I can and being a positive influence as much as I can and trying to help everyone. But I need to be ready to perform to help the team.”
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