Jordan Henderson won the Premier League and Champions League titles as Liverpool captain, but left the club after an ill-fated stint in Saudi Arabia two years ago, before returning to England with Brentford and an 18-month spell at Ajax.
Jordan Henderson has admitted that leaving Liverpool was so painful that it felt like a farewell. And Henderson even revealed that after leaving Anfield, he was so hurt by the whole experience that he couldn’t even bear to watch Liverpool games anymore.
The 35-year-old England midfielder made a huge impact 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 at Brentford, although the scars from his parting with Liverpool still linger.
Former Liverpool captain Henderson enjoyed a fantastic 12 years at Anfield, winning a Premier League title and a Champions League title, but feels the split was the most difficult period of his career. “When I left Liverpool it was a really difficult time, I had been there for a long time, 12 years,” Henderson said.
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“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 ended the way it did… so I struggled for a while afterwards.
“No, I didn’t get to watch a lot of games, and I certainly didn’t get to see Liverpool. I didn’t really watch much Premier League stuff back then… I probably picked the right location for that. 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 given a big part of my life to Liverpool, but when I left I thought it was really difficult. I think it’s the same no matter what you do, no matter where you go…”
“I don’t know what it felt like. It felt like a farewell and it was just difficult. I think if you listen to 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 when he lost his place in the England squad, meaning they missed out on qualifying for the Euros, until manager Thomas Tuchel reinstated him. But if you cut him, he will bleed England. He is very passionate about playing for England and that was clearly a factor in his return to the Premier League with Brentford.
While Henderson is enjoying a second wind and some good performances, he also admitted that he is being driven by people who doubt him and disrespect him.
“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 will change sometimes.”
Henderson also said he learned how to block out criticism and was able to focus on the task at hand. Even if it takes years to shut out the noise.
“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,” he said.
“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 done everywhere I’ve been, trying to help the team as much as possible and use all the negativity as fuel and try to use it to make us better.
“Looking back, that’s probably what I always needed. I feel like I had that and had to learn to use it as a tool in the right way. Hopefully, I’m still here talking to you guys, so I hope that’s the case, but that’s not a bad thing.”
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