Jordan Henderson Breaks Down Over Heart-Wrenching Liverpool Departure: "I Couldn't Handle It"
Brentford's midfield player Jordan Henderson reveals he found it impossible to watch Liverpool games after leaving in 2023, as he battled to accept the conclusion of his time at Anfield.
Henderson served as Liverpool's captain when he made the surprising move to Saudi Arabian club Al Ettifaq—a transfer that resulted in the experienced midfielder receiving heavy criticism from supporters and opponents regarding his choice to take up an offer from the Middle East.
His time in Saudi Arabia only lasted half a year and, following a period with Ajax, Henderson has returned to the Premier League with Brentford, providing him the chance to compete against a Liverpool team for which he accumulated 492 appearances across 12 seasons.
"It was an extremely challenging time when I departed Liverpool," stated Henderson, who guided Liverpool to Champions League success in 2019 and the Premier League championship a year after. "I spent a considerable amount of time there, 12 years.
"Departing Liverpool was enormous and incredibly challenging. At any moment it would have been difficult, since it had been my existence for such a long time. And then it disappears in an instant. So I experienced difficulties for a while following that."
He added: "I was unable to watch many matches, I definitely couldn't watch Liverpool. I didn't view much Premier League football. It was challenging. Since I was there for such an extended period, since I had such a connection and I devoted a significant portion of my life there, when I departed I found it extremely hard. It resembled a relationship ending. It was simply difficult.
"When you have spent so much time at a club, and you have that bond with them, whether you retire or transfer, for some time that was tough. With time passing, circumstances change, you progress. That was likely the most challenging period."
Henderson: 'I Had My Motivations for Saudi Move'
Henderson encountered substantial criticism for his transfer to Saudi Arabia, mainly due to the fact his earlier efforts to champion human rights issues and LGBTQ+ rights conflicted with the regulations in the Middle Eastern country. The 35-year-old consistently denied allegations he chose to transfer purely for financial gain.
When he departed Al Ettifaq merely six months following his arrival, it generated another wave of controversy from supporters who once more questioned his intentions for relocating to Saudi Arabia initially.
While Henderson declined to express regret about moving to Al Ettifaq, he acknowledged he might not have made the identical choice if presented with the same opportunity now.
"Looking back, perhaps I would have chosen differently," Henderson acknowledged. "But at that moment that's how I felt. And the choice I made was for various different reasons, and only I understand the reasons.
"Ultimately, I attempted to make the correct decision. I believed it was the right thing to do at that time, and then right to return to Europe and play for Ajax, which I thoroughly enjoyed."