'I didn't feel wanted' - Jordan Henderson breaks silence on Saudi Pro League move
Cameron Smith
- Updated: 5 Sept 2023 18:11 BST
- 4 min read
Former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson has admitted he no longer felt wanted at the club, citing that as the main reason for his summer move to the Saudi Pro League.
The England international has come under heavy scrutiny following his decision to leave Liverpool for Saudi Arabian club Al-Ettifaq given his history of promoting LGBTQ+ rights.
READ MORE: Hypocrite Henderson! LGBT+groundbreaker Hitzlsperger slams Saudi transfer
Homosexuality is illegal in Saudi Arabia and Henderson has been criticised by many equal rights activists for joining Al-Ettifaq.
The 33-year-old has now spoken out about his move from Liverpool to Saudi Arabia in an interview with The Athletic.
READ MORE: Why Chelsea DIDN'T sign Man Utd's Sancho this summer
’I didn’t feel wanted at Liverpool’
During the interview, Henderson admitted that he believes Jurgen Klopp no longer wanted to keep him as a key member of the Liverpool first-team squad.
“There were a few things that sent alarm bells ringing,” he revealed. “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. And 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. You’ve got the Euros coming up.
“And then there was an approach from Al 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.
“I knew that time would come at some point. I didn’t think it would be now. And I had to accept that. I’ve got very good relationships with Jurgen, with the owners of the club. That’ll be forever.
“What we’ve achieved together in the past 12 years has been incredible. But at the same time, it was hard for me to take that.
He continued: “If one of those people said to me, ‘Now we want you to stay’, then we wouldn’t be having this conversation. And I have to then think about what’s next for me in my career.
“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.”
Henderson has made four appearances for Al-Ettifaq since joining the club and has worn the captain’s armband on each occasion. He provided two assists during his last outing for the club - a 3-1 win over Damac FC.
