Jordan Henderson previously admitted that he left Liverpool after eventually feeling undervalued by the club and his manager Jurgen Klopp.
Henderson, who lifted eight major trophies as captain of the Reds, stunned fans when he announced he was leaving the club in July 2023 amidst claims he no longer felt wanted at Anfield.
A controversial switch to Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Ettifaq was then sealed where he would link up with Reds legend and Ettifaq manager Steven Gerrard.
just six months into his move to Saudi Arabia, Henderson made headlines once again as his contract was mutually terminated and a move to Dutch giants Ajax materialised, where he continues to play his football.
In November 2023, Henderson lifted the lid on his relationship with Liverpool and Klopp.
while stating that he had not fallen out with the ex-Dortmund boss, he did claim that he felt unwanted by his former coach and club staff. However, he revealed that Klopp was "honest" with him when it came to his diminishing role in the team.
Henderson
"There were a few things that sent alarm bells ringing,"
‘I’ve got a very good relationship with Jurgen. He was very honest with me.
"I won’t go into detail about the conversation because it’s private, but it put me in a position where I knew that I wasn’t going to be playing as much. I knew there were going to be new players coming in my position."
The 34-year-old, who lifted the Premier League trophy for the first time in 30 years with the Reds, stated that he needed to play with Euro 2024 approaching at the time.
However, his fears were later realised after Gareth Southgate left him out of his squad for the tournament.
Henderson said
‘If I’m not playing, as anybody will know, especially the manager, that can be quite difficult for me and especially when I’ve been at a club for so long,"
‘I’ve captained the team for so long. Especially when England’s a big thing for me."
The ex-Sunderland man disclosed that once Ettifaq had enquired about him, and that Liverpool had entertained the idea of accepting the Saudi Pro League side's offer, he felt that his services were no longer required.
Henderson made just 19 appearances for the Saudi Arabian side following the transfer, and his move to the country was marred following his positive work with LGBTQ+ rights groups.
Hendo
"There was an approach from Ettifaq to the club to see if it would be possible for me to go there,"
"The reaction from the club again wasn’t to say no. At that moment, I felt as though my value or the want for me to stay, with the manager and within the club, maybe it had shifted.
"Now, that’s not to say that they forced me out of the club or they were saying they wanted me to leave but at no point did I feel wanted by the club or anyone to stay.
"If one of those people said to me, 'now we want you to stay', then we wouldn’t be having this conversation."
Henderson enjoyed a hugely successful stint at Liverpool making 492 appearances for the Reds and scoring 33 goals.
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