Jordan Henderson has admitted that leaving Liverpool was like breaking up with a lover and was extremely painful. The midfielder also revealed that he was unable to bring himself to watch Liverpool games after leaving Anfield in the summer of 2023 as he was so hurt by the whole ordeal. England star Henderson, 35, shocked the football world two years ago when he left Liverpool to join Al Etifaq in the Saudi Professional League.
But less than six months later, Henderson left Saudi Arabia for Ajax and is now back in English football with Brentford, although the scars of his departure from Liverpool still linger. The former captain enjoyed an unusual 12-year stint at Anfield, winning the Premier League title and the Champions League, but feels the farewell was the most difficult period of his career.
“It was a really difficult time when I left Liverpool and I was there for a long time, 12 years,” Henderson said.
“Leaving Liverpool was huge in itself, it was really hard and it was going to be hard at any point because it was my life for so long and it just ended like that… so I struggled for a while after that.
“No, I didn’t get to watch many games, I certainly didn’t get to see Liverpool, I didn’t watch many Premier League games back then either… I probably picked the right place for it, I was half way around the world!
“Yes, it was difficult, but when I left Liverpool, because I had been there for a very long time, I was very attached to it, I had dedicated a big part of my life to Liverpool, but when I left I thought it was really difficult, and I think it’s the same no matter what you do or where you go.
“I don’t know what it felt like, but it felt like a farewell and it was just difficult. And I think if you ask a lot of players, not just at Liverpool, when they leave a club, they’ve been at the club for a long time and they’re attached to the club, whether they retire or move on.
“I think it was tough for a while, but over time things change and you can move on, but I think that was probably the hardest time.”
Henderson, who has won 85 caps, admitted he feared the worst – losing his place in the England squad and being left out of the Euro 2024 squad until manager Thomas Tuchel recalled him. But England runs through his veins like blood.
His passion to represent his country burns fiercely and clearly influenced his decision to return to the Premier League with Brentford.
Henderson is experiencing a renaissance with some impressive performances, but admitted that skeptics and critics are motivating him going forward.
“Really, I think I’ve used that as fuel throughout my career,” Henderson said. “Everyone is different and likes to approach things differently.
“For me, I think it’s part of who I am. I’ve always had to prove something somewhere, and I don’t think that’s ever going to change sometimes.”
Henderson admitted that he has learned to ignore the criticism and focus on his game. He said, “It can be tough when you’re younger, but it’s a lot easier now. And I don’t think it’s a bad thing to go through something like that when you can eventually come out the other side and look back.”
“Of course there are going to be tough moments, I’m not going to lie, but I’ve had some tough moments over the past few years.
“But coming out the other side, looking back, I think I learned a lot about myself and it makes me stronger and makes me think differently and if I use it in the right way it can help me and that’s all I’ve ever tried to do.”
“Of course I’m not perfect and I’ve made mistakes in the past throughout my career, but all I’ve ever tried to do is do the right thing and help as many people around me as possible and use the negativity to become a better player and help the team.”
“That’s what I’ve been doing everywhere I’ve been, trying to help the team as much as possible and use all the negativity as fuel and use it to make the team better.
“Looking back, that’s probably what I always needed. I feel like I had it and I just had to learn to use it the right way as a tool. I hope that’s the case because I’m still here and I’m talking to you right now, but that’s not a bad thing.”
